Laser-assisted periodontal therapy brings dental laser technology into gum disease treatment, often alongside scaling and root planing. The cleaning part may sound familiar: plaque and hardened calculus are removed from below the gumline and along the tooth roots. But where does the laser come in?
Depending on the type of laser, its settings, and the treatment protocol, it may help reduce bacteria, remove inflamed tissue, and control bleeding within the periodontal pocket. But a laser is not necessary for every case. Dr. Aaron determines whether it has a useful place in your treatment based on what he finds during your periodontal exam.
Why Laser Assisted Periodontal Therapy Is Only Part of Managing Gum Disease
Periodontitis is a form of gum disease that can damage the gums, bone, and other tissues supporting the teeth. It develops when plaque and bacteria spread below the gumline, causing the gums to pull away from the teeth and form deeper spaces called periodontal pockets. Over time, the infection can damage the bone and tissues that support your teeth.
Treatment focuses on cleaning below the gumline, removing hardened calculus from the tooth roots, and dealing with inflammation within those pockets.
Scaling and root planing target buildup below the gumline and along the tooth roots. Dr. Aaron first clears away plaque and hardened calculus from these harder-to-reach areas. He then smooths the root surfaces to remove remaining deposits and create a cleaner surface next to the gums.
Laser-assisted periodontal therapy can add another layer to gum disease treatment. Laser energy may help reduce bacteria within the periodontal pocket, manage inflamed soft tissue, and control bleeding in the treatment area. These functions complement the cleaning performed during scaling and root planing.
Dr. Aaron may incorporate laser therapy based on what he finds during your periodontal exam. It can be used with nonsurgical treatment or included in certain periodontal procedures when additional care is appropriate.
What Does the Research Say About Laser Assisted Periodontal Therapy?
Scaling and root planing remain important parts of nonsurgical periodontal treatment. Researchers have continued to study whether adding laser therapy can provide further benefits.
A 2026 systematic review published in the National Library of Medicine examined 26 studies of laser-assisted periodontal therapy published over the previous decade. Researchers compared scaling and root planing alone with treatment that also incorporated a laser. They found that laser therapy may provide additional improvements in some measures of periodontal health, particularly over the short term.
In general, Dr. Aaron may use a periodontal laser to:
- Address inflamed tissue: Laser energy can support managing diseased soft tissue within a periodontal pocket.
- Reduce bacteria: The laser may help reduce bacteria within the periodontal pocket.
- Control bleeding: Laser energy seals small blood vessels and controls bleeding during treatment.
- Support healing: Some laser applications may help manage inflammation as the gums recover after treatment.
Researchers have also measured changes in pocket depth, bleeding, and the amount of support the gums maintain around the teeth after treatment. Results vary across studies, so current research tends to support laser therapy as an additional option rather than a standard part of every periodontal treatment plan.
Explore Your Gum Disease Treatment Options
Bleeding, tenderness, gum recession, or deeper periodontal pockets can be signs that gum disease is progressing below the surface. As periodontitis advances, the tissues and bone that support your teeth can become damaged.
Laser-assisted periodontal therapy may be one part of treatment when Dr. Aaron needs another way to address the disease. If you have been told you have periodontitis, or you are noticing changes in your gums, contact Atkins Dental Clinic to schedule an evaluation and learn what treatment may help protect your oral health.
