Laser gum therapy is one way that we can help patients that have chronic periodontal disease. Meaning their gums are inflamed, and have deep pockets. And so the laser, just like in medical procedures, is used to help eliminate the diseased pocket. So what happens is the laser is a fiber that actually goes in between the tooth and the gum, and it removes the diseased tissue.
And with periodontal disease, it’s a chronic inflammatory disease, so tissue’s swollen. So we wanna remove that diseased tissue, and then we clean the root surface so that the gum can reattach. Periodontal disease is kinda like you have, think about, like, having splinters under your skin and the skin swells up. Well, as soon as you get the splinter out, typically after a day or two, the skin will tighten up and it doesn’t hurt anymore. So with the laser, it makes a little trough around there. It allows us to visually see down the root so that we can clean that effectively.
What we like to do in helping people choose the right solution for themself because they’re usually not just one solution. So we’re going to, in our examination, be as comprehensive as we can. We’re gonna do a full examination. We’re gonna take pictures inside your mouth, and we’re gonna put ’em on a big screen so you can see them. Most people have no idea what’s going on in their mouth and so when they see it, they go, “Oh, I understand now.”
And I’m often amazed, a disease as significant as periodontal disease doesn’t hurt most of the time. And so we wanna come with them, showing them their x-rays, showing them the clinical issues. And then with my experience of over 30 years of doing this, saying, “This is what I’ve seen work best over time for patients and this is how to best handle that situation.” And then give them the option. We ask them this question, we do our exam.
I ask permission to do a complete exam and tell them everything that I see. And I say, “In return, I give you permission to tell me you want to do some of it, all of it, or none of it. And I’m okay with that. But again, I don’t want you to leave here not knowing what your options were.”
We Can Restore Your Gums When the Infection Is Gone
As an experienced periodontist, Dr. Crawford’s goal is to keep your smile in great shape for many years to come. He hears from patients all the time how amazing their smile looks and feels, thanks to his treatment.
After your gum infection is gone, Dr. Crawford may recommend a procedure to restore your receding gumline. He offers the pinhole technique. It’s a minimally invasive solution that involves little if any alteration of your normal routine. Or he may suggest a grafting procedure, which uses tissue from your mouth or a donor. He’ll discuss your options with you, so together you can decide what’s best for your smile.
To learn more about laser gum therapy in St. Petersburg or to make an appointment, call 727-732-3173. You can also schedule online.
