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Patients with braces are not left behind in the technological revolution
that is sweeping dentistry.
Lasers are not used to move teeth into a straighter position, but they are
used to prevent damage to teeth during the time a person wears braces.
Often the gums grow up in between the braces much higher than they ever
would normally. This is usually considered a natural biological response.
Certainly, braces are not a harmful procedure, but the way the gums respond
to them may not be what we would wish. After the braces come off the gums
will always return to their natural shape without intervention from a
dentist.
But in the real world, sometimes this return to normal contour reveals
chalky white de-calcified areas or even outright decay, which the overgrowth
of gums and less than perfect brushing has allowed to happen.
Before lasers were available the choice of trimming this excess gum tissue
required a scalpel, and a shot. It was almost always decided by the
orthodontist that it was better to ignore this option and stress proper
brushing instead. The surgery, although not complicated, is somewhat bloody,
requires multiple shots, and leaves behind sore gums for a few days. And
there is nothing to stop the gums from growing back.
The availability of lasers doesn’t prevent the gums from growing back
either. But they do make a very important change in the situation. They make
the surgery extremely simple. It is almost entirely without blood, there is
no pain, healing is extremely rapid. In short, all the inconvenience is
taken out of the surgery procedure. If it must be repeated from time to
time, during the course of braces, so be it. This is a small price to pay
for preventing outright decay, or permanent chalky spots at the gumline.
Your orthodontist may, or may not be aware of this new option which patients
have in the management of these overgrown gums under braces. It is an
extremely new option, which you have at any rate.
If you feel gums are growing excessively under braces during orthodontic
treatment seek out a Waterlase dentist. He can remove the excess gum tissue
with no pain, no bleeding and usually no soreness in a few minutes. After
you have had the procedure done once, you will not be reluctant to have it repeated. |
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