Diode laser treatment provides several benefits for patients receiving orthodontic care. By using a specialized diode laser, Dr. Gibson is able to safely and effectively recontour excess gum tissue in order to expose more of the tooth's surface for better aesthetics and function. Your gum tissue serves as a "frame" for your teeth; orthodontic lasers use a light beam to sculpt the gums around the teeth in a way that helps improve the overall appearance of your smile. The best part of laser treatment? In most cases, there is no pain, minimal to no bleeding, no stitches, and a very quick comfortable healing time. Our office uses the diode laser routinely for: Ideal Bracket Placement - Impacted teeth - Aesthetic Gingival Recontouring - Depigmentation of Discolored/Dark Gum Tissue

Ideal Bracket Placement

If your gums haven't receded properly, or if a tooth is erupting slower than expected, a laser can be used to remove excess tissue and reveal enough tooth surface to place a bracket. 

Impacted Teeth

Impactions refer to teeth that haven't erupted properly through the gums. By using laser treatment, we can assist a tooth's eruption without the need to wait months for the tooth to erupt on its own, while avoiding more expensive surgival procedures.

Aesthetic Gingival Recontouring

Following the removal of your braces, your orthodontist may recommend recontouring your gum line to maximize the aesthetics of your smile. Aesthetic gingival recontouring is a procedure to sculpt the gum line to improve the aesthetics of your smile by exposing more of your teeth. Your orthodontist will use a laser to coutour excess gum tissue around the upper teeth to make them look longer. If the gum line is uneven, aesthetic gingival recontouring can also even the gum line to produce a more symmetrical and balanced smile.

Depigmentation of Discolored/Dark Gum Tissue

Some patients have discolored areas of dark gum tissue (hyperpigmentation) which don't match the adjacent pink gum tissue. The Diode laser that Dr. Gibson utilizes can change the tissue color from dark to pink very comfortably. The cells that cause this change in tissue color reside near the surface of the gum tissue and treatment is quick, predictable, and safe. If the color of your gum tissue detracts from the beauty of your smile, we can chage that!