Soft Tissue Laser

Dental laser can be used in the following procedures:

• Gingivectomy (removal of part of the gum for aesthetic reasons, hyperplasia or as part of periodontal treatment);
• Gingivoplasty (reshaping the contour of the gums);
• Operculectomy (removal of a portion of the gum covering an erupting tooth);
• Removal of an epulis (inflammatory pseudotumor of the gums);
• Frenectomy, which is the surgical removal of a membranous muscle brake or attachment such as the lingual brake (thread under the tongue) and the labial brake (thread between the inside of the lip and the gum);
• Treatment of herpes and aphthous ulcer lesions;
• Treatment of periodontitis;
• Removal of intraosseous dental pathology (e.g. granuloma or abscess);
• Removal of benign lesions on the lip, tongue, oral mucosa or palate area (e.g. fibroma or papilloma);
• Removal of necrotic gum tissue;
• Removal of coronal pulp and disinfection of tooth canals during root canal treatment;
• Surgical biopsy (removal of tissue for laboratory analysis).

• Allows to remove the equivalent of a few layers of cells at a time thanks to its very high precision;
• Reduces the presence of bacteria and pathogens. Tissues affected by periodontal disease can thus be decontaminated;
• Limits bleeding (haemostatic action), thus reducing the risk of haemorrhage and promoting a better view of the operation site, allowing the dental surgeon to act more quickly and with greater precision;
• Allows a reduction in stitches;
• Allows for better wound healing and prevents scarring due to the more irregular incision contours than those made by a scalpel;
• Laser surgery requires little or no anesthesia;
• Can be used for children and pregnant women as it usually does not require anesthetics or medication (pain killers and antibiotics), thus limiting the risk of allergic reactions, bacterial resistance and side effects;
• Several treatments can be done in a single appointment;
• Limits post-operative discomfort and swelling (by its sealing action on nerves and lymphatic vessels).

• The dentist must carefully monitor the rate of tissue removal to avoid overheating and lateral thermal damage;
• Because this technology is relatively new and requires extensive training to use, it is not available in all dental clinics and cannot be used for any procedure;
• The purchase of the equipment represents a substantial investment on the part of the dentist and can make laser treatment more expensive than traditional treatment.

Depending on the reason it is performed, soft tissue laser surgery can prevent the following problems from getting worse:

• Gingivitis;
• Periodontitis;
• Bone loss;
• Tooth loss.

• Before proceeding with laser treatment, the dentist performs a complete examination, including taking x-rays, to determine which type of laser is best suited to your situation;
• Special glasses are provided to protect your eyes from the beam emitted by the laser;
• An anaesthetic gel is applied to the area to be treated;
• The dentist performs the procedure, which lasts a few minutes on average.

Please note that these recommendations are for information purposes only and that the best recommendations are those of your dentist or specialist who performed the surgery.

The following is a list of the most common recommendations from practitioners:

• Regular hygiene habits can be resumed quickly after the procedure. However, it is important to be gentle when brushing your teeth, especially in the treated area;
• Certain dietary habits will have to be adapted during the days following surgery. It is recommended, among other things, to avoid very hot or spicy foods and drinks for a while;
• Finally, vitamin E may be applied to the surgical site to accelerate healing.

The cost varies according to the surface to be treated.

If the tissues of the mouth are inflamed or bleed easily, it is best to treat the inflammation first before proceeding with laser treatment.