At Horizon Family Dental Care, we offer laser dentistry in Baltimore, MD. Dental lasers offer general dental care to patients by removing infection and preventing the worsening of oral health issues. Laser dentistry is a method of treatment that makes dental procedures faster and more comfortable for both dentists and patients. Dental lasers use light and heat to cut and contour the soft tissues of the mouth. Learn more about the benefits of dental lasers and how we use them to fight gum infections below.
The Benefits of Laser Dentistry
Laser dentistry provides a variety of benefits to patients. Dental lasers:
- Don’t require anesthesia
- Provide painless care
- Sterilize the gums
- Naturally reduce swelling and bleeding
- Are highly precise
- Offer faster healing times
- Don’t require drills
- Are minimally invasive
- Provide quiet treatment
Contact our Hanover, Baltimore, La Plata, or Clinton dental offices if you are interested in learning more about laser dentistry. Our dental professionals will evaluate your smile to determine if laser therapy needs to be done in conjunction with scaling and root planing. Our office often uses laser dentistry and scaling and root planing together to reverse gum disease.
What Can Dental Lasers Do?
Soft tissue dental lasers can treat patients with severe cases of gum disease. Dental lasers utilize light and heat to precisely target areas of infection of the gums and remove the damaged tissue. Removing this tissue can allow the gums to regenerate, kill bacteria, and prevent the spread of infection.
After dental laser treatment, we advise patients to eat soft foods and stay away from hard, chewy, and spicy foods. Gently brushing your teeth and gums regularly also helps prevent reinfection. Laser dentistry is a great alternative to oral surgery as it is less invasive and reduces bleeding and swelling.
Laser Gum Treatment at Horizon Family Dental Care
At Horizon Family Dental Care, we use advanced laser technology to treat gum disease gently and effectively. Laser gum treatment is a modern option that helps remove infection, reduce swelling, and encourage gum healing.
To begin laser gum therapy, we first examine your mouth and check the health of your gums. If we see redness, bleeding, swelling, or deep pockets around your teeth we may recommend laser treatment. Before starting, we clean the area and may numb your gums to make sure you stay comfortable during the procedure.
Next, we use a special dental laser to gently remove the infected tissue and harmful bacteria from around your teeth. The laser also helps seal the area to stop bleeding and speed up the healing process. We may perform a deep gum cleaning beforehand and then we use the laser to remove and contour soft tissue.
You can get treatment in just one office visit. Dental lasers provide quicker and more efficient care than traditional surgical tools, so you won’t experience bleeding or need stitches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Read answers to common questions about laser dentistry in Baltimore, MD.
Are dental lasers safe?
Yes, dental lasers are safe when used by our trained dentists. Lasers are FDA-approved and have been used in dental offices for many years. Our dentists who use lasers have special training and use the right settings customized to each patient.
Will I feel anything when I get laser dental treatment?
Most people feel little to no pain during laser dental treatment. Our dentist may numb the area just to make sure you’re completely comfortable. The laser won’t hurt, but you might feel a warm feeling or a little pressure during treatment.
How long does it take to get laser treatment for my gums?
Laser treatment for your gums doesn’t take very long. Most appointments take about 1 to 2 hours, depending on how much work needs to be done. If you have gum disease in your whole mouth, your dentist may treat one half of your mouth at a time. In that case, you might need two separate visits.
How long does it take to recover after laser gum treatment?
Every person is different, but most people recover fully within 1 to 2 weeks. Some people go back to their normal routine the same day or the next day. Our office will give you special instructions on how to care for your mouth while it heals. We often recommend eating soft foods and avoiding brushing the treated area for a short time.
Am I a good candidate for laser dentistry?
You might be a good candidate for laser dentistry if you have gum disease or other dental problems that need gentle treatment. Lasers might make your visit more comfortable if you’re nervous about dental tools or have a strong gag reflex. But not everyone is a perfect match. Our dentist will check your teeth, gums, and overall health to see if laser treatment is right for you.
How can lasers treat gum disease?
If you have infected gum tissue, we may recommend laser gum treatment. Our dentist uses a special dental laser to gently remove the infected gum tissue and kill bacteria during laser treatment. The laser is very precise, so it only targets the damaged areas without harming healthy tissue. It also helps clean the area around your teeth so your gums can heal.
What are the differences between hard and soft tissue lasers?
The two main types of dental lasers are hard tissue lasers and soft tissue lasers, and each one does a different job. Hard tissue lasers are used on your teeth. Dentists use them to remove tooth decay, prepare teeth for fillings, or shape teeth.
Soft tissue lasers are used on your gums and other soft parts of your mouth. Dentists use them to treat gum disease, reshape gum lines, or remove small growths. The type of laser you need will depend on the treatment you need.
Schedule a Dental Consultation
Contact Horizon Family Dental Care today to discover the benefits of treatment with dental lasers. Request a dental appointment with our dental team on our website. If you have any remaining questions about laser dentistry, please let us know and we will be glad to assist you.