Scaling and root planing is commonly done by hand with the use of a scalpel and other dental instruments. Recently, however, the use of laser dentistry for scaling and root planing has become more popular and offers unique benefits. It is helpful to understand why your dentist may recommend laser dentistry and what the benefits are to decide if treatment is right for you.
Laser dentistry is still a relatively young method of treating scaling and root planing, but there are certain promising benefits it offers many patients. The benefits of laser dentistry include a less invasive treatment procedure, faster treatment, quicker recovery time, more accurate targeting of infected tissue, and a lower risk of infection.
Many dentists have been hesitant to recommend scaling and root planing (also called a deep dental cleaning) in the past due to fear it may cause discomfort and potentially damage healthy tissue if not performed correctly. Laser dentistry makes the process easier for many dentists and less invasive for patients. This is because it is used in place of a dental scalpel and other dental instruments to remove infected gum tissue. The result is less pain and discomfort during the procedure as there is no prodding around with sharp dental instruments.
The goal of scaling and root planing is to remove bacteria, plaque, tartar, and infected tissue while ensuring that no healthy tissue is damaged in the process. This process can take a while when using metal tools, and on average the use of laser dentistry is much faster. A scaling and root planing can take well beyond an hour with metal tools, compared to the use of laser dentistry that ensures the process is completed quickly and typically in under an hour.
As mentioned, the primary goal is to clean the gums while not damaging healthy tissue. When performed by hand with metal tools, it is hard to ensure no healthy tissue is removed or damaged by the tools. Laser dentistry can help effectively locate and target the plaque and tartar infested areas of the gums and remove these areas while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.
Scaling and root planing is more invasive than routine dental cleaning, and it can lead to slight irritation and swelling of the gums. This can increase the risk of an oral infection developing if proper oral hygiene is not practiced. Laser dentistry can reduce the risk of infection by causing less overall irritation following treatment and therefore allowing faster recovery time.
If you are worried that you may feel discomfort during a dental procedure and want to learn more about laser dentistry as a treatment option, then reach out to our team today. We offer laser dentistry and can help you decide if it is the right method of treatment for you.
Are you considering laser dentistry in the Vista area? Get more information at https://www.ultimatesmiles.com.
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