REFER A FRIEND: GIVE $50, GET $50
Enhancing Dental Care With Laser Technology
Lasers have been used in dentistry for over 20 years, enhancing routine procedures with their preventive, restorative, and cosmetic applications. They are a safe, gentle tool that can simplify and reduce treatment time for various procedures. In our practice, our skilled doctors use a diode laser for treatments like laser gum contouring and restorative crown lengthening.
Why Are Lasers Used in Dentistry?
Lasers are concentrated beams of focused light that serve a variety of purposes at different wavelengths. Depending on the wavelength, lasers can illuminate, create friction, or cut through soft and hard tissues. At The Woodlands Dentistry and Orthodontics in The Woodlands, TX, our doctors use lasers in dentistry to replace traditional tools like lighting, scraping, and cutting instruments, offering enhanced efficiency and precision during procedures.
If you are facing a situation where bone loss has affected your dental health, we recommend scheduling a consultation to discuss how bone grafting can help restore the necessary support for future dental treatments. Our doctors at The Woodlands Dentistry and Orthodontics in The Woodlands, TX are here to guide you through the process.
24/7 Online Scheduling
Laser Gum Contouring
This cosmetic procedure is a popular choice for patients looking to enhance their smiles — not by altering their teeth, but by reshaping the gum tissue that frames them.
A "gummy" smile is a common concern, where an excess of gum tissue covers the teeth, creating a disproportionate appearance. This overgrowth can be caused by various factors, including heredity, health conditions, and even medications like blood pressure medications. In this condition, the gums tend to dominate the smile, making the teeth appear less prominent.
Many of our smile makeover patients seek to reduce the amount of gum tissue visible when they smile. Even those without significant gum exposure have appreciated the subtle improvements we can make by evening out discrepancies in gum tissue height.
24/7 Online Scheduling
How It Works
Before lasers, the only option for patients unhappy with their gum line involved gum contouring with a scalpel and sutures. This often resulted in excessive bleeding, a lengthy and uncomfortable recovery period, and a higher risk of infection.
However, with state-of-the-art diode laser technology, our dentists in The Woodlands, TX can trim and cauterize the gum line in a single motion, significantly reducing the risk of infection and shortening recovery time. Patients find laser gum contouring highly rewarding because it transforms their smile in just one visit. In most cases, the procedure takes about 30 to 60 minutes, and patients can return to their normal activities the same day.
24/7 Online Scheduling
Crown Lengthening for Restorations
In addition to cosmetic gum contouring, there are cases where reducing gum tissue is necessary to provide greater access to the root of a tooth. For instance, a dental crown or filling may not be placed until more of the tooth’s root is exposed. Gum tissue reduction may also be needed during periodontal treatments for gum disease, where the gums and roots must be cleaned and resurfaced to remove bacteria and damaged tissue.