Key Takeaways
- Laser gum treatment is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a dental laser to treat moderate to advanced gum disease.
- Many patients experience less bleeding, swelling, and discomfort compared to traditional gum surgery.
- Not everyone needs laser gum surgery. Milder cases of gum disease can often be treated with non-surgical options.
- Most people return to their normal routine within a day or two, although complete gum healing takes several weeks.
- Treatment costs range from $1,000 to $4,500 or higher, and many dental insurance plans cover at least part of the procedure when it’s medically necessary,
- Following your periodontist’s aftercare instructions and maintaining good oral hygiene are key to achieving the best long-term results.
Healthy gums are the foundation of a healthy smile, but when gum disease begins to damage the tissue supporting your teeth, it’s important to treat it before the problem gets worse. Laser gum treatment has become an increasingly popular option because it’s less invasive and highly effective. If you’re considering laser gum surgery, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from who might benefit from it, what the process looks like, costs, and what you can expect every step of the way.
If you need laser gum treatment in the Salt Lake area, we can help you. We have multiple offices in and around Salt Lake City for you to choose from, including in Salt Lake City and South Jordan, near West Valley, West Jordan, and Midvale.
What is Laser Gum Treatment?
Being told you might need surgery because of gum disease can understandably feel like a lot to take in and process. Fortunately, there are gum treatments out there that offer a much more modern approach. Instead of traditional surgical tools, your periodontist uses a specialized dental laser to remove infected tissue and bacteria while preserving as much healthy gum tissue as possible.
More and more people are choosing laser gum treatment because of its quick recovery time and other advantages. In many cases, it can mean less bleeding, less swelling, and a more comfortable healing process. It’s becoming increasingly popular for treating moderate to advanced gum disease, especially when deeper pockets have already formed around your teeth.
Do You Need Laser Gum Surgery?
Not everyone with gum disease needs laser gum surgery. If the problem is caught early enough, there are other non-surgical treatments that might be all that’s needed. But if the infection has moved into the advanced stages and your gums have started pulling away from your teeth, laser treatment could be the best way to stop the disease from progressing.
The only way to really know for sure if laser gum surgery is right for you is to be evaluated by your periodontist. They’ll examine your gums, measure the pockets around your teeth, and determine how advanced the disease is before recommending a specific treatment plan.
Alternatives to Laser Gum Surgery
The treatment that’s right for you will largely depend on how advanced your symptoms are, how much damage has occurred, and your overall oral health. Below is a list of the most common alternatives to gum surgery:
- Professional dental cleanings: If you have early-stage gum disease (gingivitis), regular professional cleanings combined with good brushing and flossing habits might be enough to reverse the condition before permanent damage has time to set in.
- Scaling and root planing: Often called a “deep cleaning,” this non-surgical procedure removes plaque, tartar, and bacteria from below the gumline while smoothing the tooth roots to help the gums heal and reattach.
- Traditional gum surgery: For more advanced cases, your periodontist might recommend flap surgery. During this procedure, the gum is gently lifted so the roots and bone can be thoroughly cleaned before the tissue is positioned and secured with stitches.
- Antibiotic therapy: In some situations, your dentist might place antibiotics directly into an infected gum pocket or prescribe oral antibiotics to help reduce bacteria. These treatments are generally used alongside other periodontal procedures rather than on their own.
- Improve at-home oral hygiene: While brushing and flossing alone won’t reverse advanced periodontal disease, maintaining excellent oral hygiene is an important part of treating gum disease and preventing it from getting worse.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Laser Gum Treatment?
Just like any dental procedure, laser gum treatment has both pros and cons that are worth going over before deciding how to move forward. A lot of people really appreciate that it’s less invasive than traditional gum surgery, but that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily the best option for every case of gum disease.
Pros of Laser Gum Treatment
- Less invasive than traditional gum surgery
- Typically causes less bleeding during the procedure
- May result in less swelling and discomfort afterward
- Often has a faster recovery time
- Can precisely target infected tissue while preserving healthy gum tissue
- Might reduce the amount of bacteria around the teeth and gums
- Can help promote gum healing and reattachment
- Many procedures require little or no sutures
Cons of Laser Gum Treatment
- Not every patient is a candidate
- Might not be appropriate for severe cases of gum disease
- Can be more expensive than some traditional periodontal treatments
- Not all dental offices offer laser technology
- Some patients might still need additional periodontal procedures
- Results still depend on good oral hygiene and regular dental care after treatment
The Laser Gum Treatment Process
It always helps to know what to expect before going in for any kind of dental treatment. While every patient’s treatment plan is slightly different, laser gum treatment generally sticks to the same overall process.
Your appointment will typically start with your periodontist examining your gums and numbing the treatment area to make sure you’re comfortable. Next, a specialized dental laser is used to carefully remove diseased tissue and bacteria from the gum pockets around your teeth. The roots of the teeth are then thoroughly cleaned to remove plaque and tartar that have built up beneath the gumline. Oftentimes, the laser is used again to help disinfect the area and encourage the gums to begin healing.
Once the treatment is complete, your periodontist will make sure that everything looks good before sending you home with aftercare instructions. Later in this guide, we’ll go over more specific details about what you can expect during the recovery process.
How to Prepare
- Follow your periodontist’s instructions. Let our provider know about any medications you’re taking and follow any pre-procedure instructions they give you.
- Brush and floss before your appointment. Arriving with clean teeth can help reduce bacteria in your mouth before treatment.
- Eat a light meal beforehand. Unless you’re told otherwise, having something to eat before your appointment can help keep you comfortable, especially if your mouth will be numb afterward.
- Arrange for a ride home afterward if needed. Most patients can drive themselves home, but if you’ll be receiving sedation, plan to have someone else drive you.
- Wear comfortable clothing and allow for plenty of time. Arriving a little early can help you relax and complete paperwork before your procedure begins.
What Happens During the Surgery
While every treatment is going to be slightly different, here’s what you can typically expect during your appointment:
- Your gums are numbed. Your periodontist will use a local anesthetic to keep you comfortable throughout the whole procedure. Depending on your treatment plan, some patients might also receive other forms of sedation.
- The laser removes infected tissue and bacteria. A specialized dental laser is used to carefully target diseased gum tissue and reduce bacteria that are formed deep within the periodontal pockets.
- Your tooth roots are cleaned. Plaque and tartar beneath the gumline are removed, and the root surfaces are smoothed to help the gums heal and reattach to the teeth.
- You’re given aftercare instructions and sent home.
Laser Gum Surgery Healing Time
Everyone’s healing time is a big difference, but most people find they’re able to return to work and their normal daily routine within just a day or two. Remember that it’s quite common to experience some mild soreness, tenderness, or swelling for the first few days. However, any of these symptoms should generally improve fairly quickly.
Even if you’re feeling better after a couple of days, it’s important to remember that your gums are still healing beneath the surface. For most patients, the initial healing takes about one to two weeks, while complete healing of the gum tissue can take several weeks depending on the extent of the treatment.
Post-Procedure Care
The first few days after laser gum treatment, there should be a big focus on giving your gums a chance to heal. Your periodontist will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions that will greatly assist in a healthy recovery. Basically, you’ll be advised to eat soft foods, brush carefully around the treated area, and avoid anything that could slow down healing, like smoking or hard, crunchy foods. And it goes without saying, but make your follow-up appointment a priority, even if your gums seem to be doing fine.
How Much Does Laser Gum Treatment Cost?
On average, laser gum treatment costs anywhere from about $1,000 to $4,500 or more. Your actual cost will largely depend on factors like how advanced your gum disease is, how many areas need to be treated, and whether any additional periodontal procedures are necessary. The good news is that many dental insurance plans will cover at least a portion of periodontal treatment when it’s considered medically necessary to treat gum disease. Coverage varies by plan, so make sure to contact your provider to know what that will look like with your benefits.
| Treatment | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Laser treatment (single area or quadrant) | $250–$1,000 |
| Multiple quadrants | $1,000–$2,500 |
| Full-mouth laser gum treatment | $2,500–$4,500+ |
| Initial periodontal consultation | $100–$300 (may be applied toward treatment) |
Take the Next Step Toward Healthier Gums
Gum disease is much easier to treat when it’s caught early, but even if it becomes more advanced, there are still highly effective treatment options out there. Laser gum treatment has made periodontal care more comfortable and less invasive for many patients, helping restore healthier gums while protecting their teeth for years to come.
If you’re dealing with advanced gum disease or maybe just want to stay ahead of potential problems before they become serious, our friendly team at Utah Periodontal Specialists is here to help. We take the time to understand your needs, explain all your options, and create a personalized plan that’s right for you. With convenient locations in South Jordan and Salt Lake City, we’re proud to provide expert care for patients throughout all of Northern Utah.
FAQs
Who should consider laser gum treatment?
Laser gum treatment is often recommended for people with moderate to advanced gum disease or deep periodontal pockets. A periodontist can determine whether it’s the right treatment for your specific condition.
What can you eat after laser gum treatment?
Stick to soft foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, oatmeal, eggs, soup, and smoothies for the first few days. Avoid hard, crunchy, spicy, or very hot foods until your gums have had time to heal.
Do gums grow back after laser gum surgery?
No, receded gums don’t typically grow back. However, laser gum treatment can help stop the progression of gum disease and encourage the remaining gum tissue to heal.
Does laser gum surgery work?
Yes. Laser gum surgery is an effective treatment for many patients with periodontal disease. It removes infected tissue and bacteria while helping reduce gum pockets and improve gum health.
Is laser gum treatment painful?
Most patients experience very little discomfort during the procedure because the area is numbed. Mild soreness afterward is common but usually resolves within just a few days.
How long does laser gum treatment take?
Most procedures take 30 minutes to two hours, depending on how many areas of the mouth are being treated.
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