WHAT IS LASER GUM DEPIGMENTATION?
Just as people have different skin tones, so can people have different gum tones. Although dark gums may be healthy, some patients find them unattractive and seek measures to lighten them. Fortunately, laser gum depigmentation is one way to remove dark pigment and restore the gums to an aesthetic, pink colour.
What Makes the Gums Dark?
Melanin is the pigment responsible for skin colour. Your gums also produce melanin. People with darker skin tones and of Asian, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean or African decent are more prone to pigmentation of the gingiva.
What Happens During Laser Gum Depigmentation
During the treatment, your dentist uses a soft tissue laser to remove the excess pigment from your gums.
When Dr Cherian begins the depigmentation treatment, he’ll apply local anaesthesia to your gums. Then he’ll use his Biolase Laser to carefully and evenly lighten the visible surfaces of your gums.
The procedure takes one to two hours and is nearly painless. Some sensitivity will follow your laser gum depigmentation, which can be dealt with using over-the-counter analgesics. Many patients return to work directly after the procedure.Most people get the results they were hoping for after just a single treatment session.
Are There Other Options?
Laser gum depigmentation is meant to be a minimally invasive alternative to other depigmentation options. In the past, options for removing extra pigmentation from the gum tissue included scraping away the tissue with a scalpel or using a rotary tool to physically abrade the gums. The scalpel and rotary tool method of depigmentation are not only more invasive and painful, they also tend to cost more and have considerably longer recovery times than laser treatments.
Before Treatment
If you are considering laser gum depigmentation, it’s important that your gums be in good shape before treatment. If you’ve had gum disease, your dentist will recommend a deep cleaning to stabilise your gum condition.
Your gums shouldn’t get in the way of having a great smile.
Call us on 01507 211833 today, to book your consultation with Dr Cherian.