Did you know that around 46% of adults over 30 show signs of gum disease?
Red, swollen, and bleeding gums are a key indicator of gum disease and a sign that you need to prioritize your oral hygiene. In the early stages, gum disease can be reversed at home. However, sometimes people need professional intervention.
Dental laser surgery is becoming an increasingly popular option to help reverse the effects of gum disease and restore mouths to a healthy state. If you’re considering laser surgery, there are a few things you need to know first.
Read on to find out more about what to expect from dental surgery.
Cost
The exact cost of your procedure will depend on how much work you need to be done, which dentist you choose, and your location. If you have dental insurance, they may pay of proportion of the cost, but it’s best to check with them before committing to anything.
You can expect to pay $50-300 for your initial X-rays. Then, if you need teeth scaling, you’ll pay a further $1500.
The actual procedure can cost anything from $1000 to $3000 per quadrant.
Procedure
Your dentist will use a series of small lasers to cut and remove any diseased tissue. The laser is highly accurate and only the size of around three human hairs.
The laser is then pointed at different parts of the mouth; it destroys diseased tissue but leaves any healthy tissue undamaged.
A dentist can typically complete a quadrant in 1-2 hours and may ask you to come back for a second laser oral surgery to complete the process.
Risks
Laser surgery solutions are relatively safe as long as the dentist is adequately trained. You can check out skilled dentists here: implantsnorthwest.com.
Infection is uncommon because the laser sterilizes the area. That being said, if you notice any signs of infection, call your healthcare provider immediately.
Things to look out for include:
- Fever
- Pain that’s getting worse
- Swelling that doesn’t subside
- Oozing pus
As with any surgery, there are some risks. Additional (but rare) risks and complications include:
- Infections
- Scarring
- Tissue color change
Recovery
Dental is one of the types of laser surgery that has the most straightforward recovery. You can expect slight soreness and some bleeding for a few days. However, most people can go back to work the day after surgery.
While you recover, the dentist may recommend you avoid brushing or flossing the targeted area for a few days. Additionally, it’ll help to eat a soft diet and avoid smoking.
To further prevent infection, you can rinse your mouth with warm saltwater.
Laser Surgery: Is It Right for You?
Now you know what to expect from laser surgery, do you think you’ll be getting it? Although it can be expensive, the procedure can effectively restore your mouth to good health.
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