How Lasers Treat Gum Disease Bacteria
Bacterial infection is the driving force behind gum disease. Harmful bacteria colonize the spaces between the teeth and gums, triggering an inflammatory response that, over time, destroys the gum tissue and bone supporting the teeth. Laser treatment of gum disease bacteria uses focused laser energy to target and eliminate these bacterial colonies below the gumline with a level of precision that traditional cleaning instruments alone cannot achieve.
Laser Treatment of Gum Disease Bacteria: Quick Facts
| Quick fact | Typical answer |
|---|---|
| Number of visits | Done alongside deep cleaning visits |
| Time needed | Adds 10 to 20 minutes |
| Anesthesia | Local anesthesia if needed |
| Recovery time | Minimal |
| Follow-up | Re-evaluation after several weeks, then maintenance |
These are typical ranges. Your own plan is confirmed after an examination.
Who Laser Bacterial Treatment Is For
Gum disease is driven by bacteria living in the pockets around teeth. Laser decontamination reduces those bacteria in areas where disease is active, and is used together with mechanical cleaning rather than in place of it.
- Active gum disease with bleeding pockets
- Pockets that have not fully responded to deep cleaning
- Sites that flare up between maintenance visits
- Patients with diabetes or who smoke
- Inflammation around implants
Laser Treatment of Gum Disease Bacteria at Bensonhurst Dental Care
At Bensonhurst Dental Care, laser bacterial treatment is provided by Dr. Alex Rubinshtein as part of the practice’s advanced approach to periodontal care. The laser is directed into the periodontal pockets, where it destroys bacteria and their byproducts without damaging the surrounding healthy tissue. The treatment can be performed as a standalone procedure or in combination with scaling and root planing to enhance the effectiveness of non-surgical periodontal treatment.
What to Expect, Step by Step
- Charting. Pocket depths and bleeding sites are recorded.
- Numbing. Local anesthesia is used if needed.
- Cleaning. Scaling and root planing remove tartar.
- Laser decontamination. A fiber is passed through each affected pocket.
- Re-evaluation. Pockets are measured again after several weeks.
Preventive laser reduction, laser bacterial treatment and LANAP
| Treatment | For whom | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Preventive laser bacterial reduction | Healthy or mildly inflamed gums | Keep bacteria low before disease develops |
| Laser treatment of gum disease bacteria | Active gum disease | Decontaminate infected pockets |
| LANAP | Moderate to advanced periodontitis | Treat disease and encourage reattachment |
Tartar has to be removed by hand. Bacteria in the soft tissue are where a laser adds something a scaler cannot.
Recovery and Aftercare
After laser treatment
The first 24 hours
- Avoid very hot or spicy foods
- Rinse with warm salt water
- Brush gently near the gumline
The following days
- Clean between your teeth daily
- Return for re-evaluation
- Keep three-month maintenance visits
When to Call Us
Call the office on (718) 234-3434 if you notice any of the following:
- A gum swelling appears
- Bleeding increases
- Pain lasts beyond two days
How It Relates to Other Gum Treatments
This service is closely related to preventive laser bacterial reduction, which targets bacteria before disease develops. The distinction is one of timing and intent: preventive reduction is proactive care for at-risk patients, while treatment of gum disease bacteria is an active intervention for patients with diagnosed periodontal disease. Both services leverage the same laser technology and Dr. Alex’s expertise to deliver targeted bacterial elimination below the gumline.
For patients with advanced gum disease, laser bacterial treatment may be part of a broader periodontal care plan that includes LANAP and ongoing periodontal maintenance with Dr. Geoffrey Rubinshtein. The combination of laser technology and specialized periodontal care provides patients with the most comprehensive defense against the progression of gum disease.
Cost and Insurance
Laser treatment is priced by the procedure, not by the use of the laser itself. You are told the fee before treatment.
What affects the cost
- The procedure being carried out
- The number of teeth or areas treated
- The number of sessions needed
- Whether the laser is used alone or alongside another treatment
Insurance usually covers a laser procedure in the same way as the conventional version of that procedure. Therapy sessions for pain relief may not be covered. Our team can check your benefits and explain your options before treatment begins.
