How Laser Dentistry Is Used During a Deep Cleaning

Laser dentistry provides a less invasive way to perform treatments like deep cleanings. Keeping teeth free of plaque and tartar is an important part of keeping your mouth healthy. Tartar and plaque build-up on teeth leads to issues like tooth decay and gum disease.

Dentists recommend getting teeth cleaned at least two times per year to get tartar off teeth before it leads to decay and other issues. Plaque is a sticky, film oral bacteria coat teeth with and it can be removed by brushing and flossing. Tartar is hardened plaque and does not come off as easily. A metal tool called a scaler is traditionally used to remove it during teeth cleanings. Laser dentistry provides an alternative to using metal tools.

Laser dentistry powered deep cleanings

To appreciate the benefits of laser dentistry, let us take a closer look at how traditional deep cleanings are performed:

The traditional deep cleaning process

The conventional way of deep cleaning teeth is known as scaling and root planing. The procedure involves using metal dental tools to carefully remove plaque and tartar from teeth surfaces, below and above the gum line. Cleaning beneath the gum line is particularly important since deep cleaning is typically performed as a treatment for gum disease. Gum disease is caused by plaque and tartar getting into gum pockets, causing an immune system response.

To clean beneath the gum line, the dentist has to pull back on gum tissues so teeth roots are exposed. A local anesthetic is administered during the procedure, so the patient does not feel pain. They will experience some pain and discomfort for the next two weeks following the procedure as their gum tissues recover. A regular teeth cleaning is not as complex as a deep cleaning since it only involves removing plaque and tartar from above the gumline.

Deep cleaning with laser dentistry

The process of deep cleaning teeth can be performed using a laser instead of dental tools. The laser is used to break down plaque and bacteria on teeth and inside gum pockets. The heat generated by the laser does the work. The laser can penetrate through soft and hard tissues, allowing the dentist to clean below the gumline without having to pull back gum tissues to expose teeth roots. Instead, the dentist simply targets the laser to specific areas to remove plaque and tartar.

Deep cleaning teeth with a laser is a lot gentler on the patient than the conventional approach. It leads to less swelling, bleeding, and discomfort as well as a shorter recovery period. Many patients can get back to their regular diet a few days after their deep cleaning treatment.

Stop gum disease in its early stages

A deep cleaning can help to protect you against gum disease, and lasers make the process less complicated. Thanks to this new approach, you no longer have to deal with a lengthy recovery period after getting a deep cleaning. Give us a call or visit our Red Bluff clinic to set up an appointment with our dentist.

Request an appointment or call Randal S. Elloway DDS, Inc at (530) 527-6777 for an appointment in our Red Bluff office.

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