Treating periodontal disease with laser dentistry in the Melbourne area

Laser dentistry provides us with many ways to deliver superior quality of care, with reduced discomfort and healing time. This technology is utilised in virtually every aspect of the modern dental practice, from cavity detection to cosmetic procedures. One of the most popular uses for laser technology is periodontal disease treatment, which has dramatic benefits as compared to traditional gum surgery.

Why would you need periodontal treatment?

Periodontal (gum) disease is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults. It is also associated with a plethora of health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, stroke and preterm labour, to name just a few. You might expect such a destructive disease to be painful and display many symptoms. In fact, the opposite is true. Periodontal disease is an insidious infection that develops around teeth. It is not painful and the symptoms are subtle. You may not realise there is a problem until the infection has spread far below the gum line, where it is difficult to remove.

Options for restoring gum health

Scaling and root planing are the first lines of defence. This procedure, often called deep cleaning, removes tartar and bacteria from the surface of the tooth root. When combined with diligent hygiene practices, this may be sufficient treatment for gum disease in the early stages. In later stages of gum disease, scaling and planing alone may not be sufficient. Deep infection and diseased tissue can be surgically removed, allowing the gums to reattach to the teeth. When you choose Smile in Style for gum disease treatment, you don’t need to worry about the pain, bleeding and slow recovery of conventional surgery. We use advanced laser therapy using the Fotona Lightwalker Laser for fast, precise, comfortable, and effective gum disease treatment.

What to expect from laser treatment

The procedure is completed in a single appointment, which usually takes a couple of hours.

• First, the treatment area is numbed with local anaesthetic to ensure that you are comfortable throughout the process.
• An ultra-fine laser probe is gently inserted into the pocket between the gum tissue and tooth root.
• Laser energy removes the pocket lining with exacting precision. As the laser also cauterizes, there is no need for sutures. The laser also kills bacteria in the pocket, facilitating better healing.

Call 03 8400 4104 (Moonee Ponds) or 03 8001 6021 (Sunbury) and arrange a consultation at Smile in Style to find out if you are a good candidate for laser periodontal treatment.