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Laser Gum Surgery
There’s a line of lasers
that has been developed to correct gum deformities. One type of laser is used primarily for cutting and shaping hard
tissues in the mouth. The diode lasers are used for cutting soft tissues in the
mouth.
The Opus10 diode laser is
the best instrument to use when the gum surgery is of cosmetic nature. This type of laser is a solid state diode
laser that uses micron fiber that can be directed toward soft tissue that enables
to shape the gums to the proportions. This type of treatment doesn’t cause a
lot of damage to the soft tissues of the mouth and it also makes recovery
easier and faster.
Lasers are often used to
correct such anomaly as a ”gummy” type of smile. After making sure that the patient is relaxed – through use of
nitrous oxide, for example – the tissue can be sculpted by using continuous
laser stream. Once the tissue is
removed from the teeth, the doctor is able to sculpt it properly to create the
right proportions, height and width-wise.
In some cases the
orthodontist will place incisal edges so that they can follow the curvature of
the lower lip. The laser allows to
adjust the gingival proportions of a patient’s smile in order to make sure it
matches the upper lip. The actual
amounts of tissue can be removed in different amounts from one or the other
side of a patient’s lip.
It is important to let the
laser do the cutting for and try not to push the tissue away with the end of
its fiber. Laser is not a knife and it
shouldn’t be used like one. If the
fiber touches the patient’s tissue gently the patient will only feel the
touching of the tissue.
A true professional will
take pictures to document the procedure in order to determine if the goal –
such as reducing the ”gummy” smile – has been accomplished. Lots of doctors prefer to use digital
camera since digital imaging during surgery provides the instant way to examine
all the aesthetic issues . Additionally,
it gives the patient a chance to see and approve the outcome of the laser
surgery. If any further procedures
are required they can be completed during the same appointment instead of
having the patient wait till the next setting is scheduled.
Properly preparing the
patient for laser surgery is also important.
A doctor may place a mirror in
the patient’s hand and rub the fiber on the gum with the laser is off, while
the patients watch. That way the
patient know what they will feel as the tissue is removed. Some patients elect surgery without
sedation and the laser gum surgery doesn’t really require one.
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