Laser Dentistry to Reshape Gums

What does laser dentistry have to do with your smile? When you think of a beautiful smile, most people immediately think of straight, white teeth. But have you ever thought about how your gums might affect your smile? Gums that sit too high or too low on your teeth and/or are uneven can alter your smile. 

These days, more and more dentists are turning to laser dentistry as a way to reshape a patient's gums and give them the beautiful smile they have always dreamed of! Let us answer a few questions that may be on your mind: What even is laser dentistry and how will it change your smile?

What is laser dentistry?

Simply put, laser dentistry is the use of lasers to treat different dental conditions. It first became available in the early 1990s but has been gaining in popularity over the last several years. A few benefits of using lasers are that they can make dental treatments more cost-effective, comfortable and efficient. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there are more than 20 uses of lasers in dentistry, the most common uses being procedures involving soft tissues, such as the gums.

Laser gum contouring

If you have uneven gums or your gums sit too low or too high on your teeth, you may be a great candidate for laser gum contouring. This is one of the most popular types of laser dentistry; you may also hear it referred to as tissue sculpting or gum reshaping. The laser is used to contour your gums, then the tissue is sealed to prevent bleeding and infections. After a mild local anesthetic is applied to numb your gums, the laser quickly reshapes your gums without the stressful sound and feel of a drill.

What to expect post-procedure

The great news about laser dentistry procedures, gum contouring in particular, is that the recovery is quite simple. Since there are no incisions or sutures and the lasers cause far less bleeding, you will not have an open wound like you would with traditional procedures. You are also likely to have less tooth and gum sensitivity post-procedure.

Keep in mind that it is still extremely important to follow post-procedure care instructions given by your dentist. These instructions will usually include cleaning instructions and dietary changes, as well as what to expect during the healing process. Closely following post-procedure care instructions and strong oral health practices will help you achieve a dazzling smile!

Other laser dentistry treatments

While gum contouring is one of the more popular procedures in laser dentistry, there are many uses for lasers in dentistry. These include:

• Taking biopsies
• Treating tooth decay or cavities
• Tooth whitening
• Treating gum disease
• Removing oral tumors
• Removing inflammation from the gums
• Treating hypersensitivity

Want to know more?

Our team of friendly staff would be happy to answer any additional questions you may have about laser dentistry and reshaping your gums!

Request an appointment here: https://sonorandesertdentistry.com or call Sonoran Desert Dentistry at (480) 439-0117 for an appointment in our Scottsdale office.

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