What Is Laser Gum Surgery?
Dentists often recommend gum surgery to people who have advanced stages of gum disease, such as gingivitis. A new form of gum surgery uses lasers instead of a knife to remove poor gum tissue.
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Function
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In this type of surgery, the doctor operates a laser about three hair strands thick on a person's gum line. Little else is required other than a qualified dentist to remove diseased tissue as the laser cauterizes the wound.
Benefits
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Because laser gum surgery makes no incisions, the actual procedure does not cause much pain. In addition, this option is usually the shortest and cheapest way to surgically remove infected gum tissue.
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Types
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Laser gum surgery proves adequate for most periodontal disease. In addition, people can use this surgery for cosmetic reasons, such as fixing a "gummy smile."
Time Frame
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A dentist can complete laser gum surgery in as little as 45 minutes, depending on the type of procedure. Traditional gum surgery can take months because the doctor only takes out a portion of the gum at a time. In addition, recovery times for laser gum surgery are usually less than a day.
Costs
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The actual cost of laser surgery depends on the type of procedure, but it typically ranges from $500 to $2,000, according to DentalFind.com. However, people can elect other cosmetic dentistry along with laser gum treatment, which adds to the total cost.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Paul Stocker
