POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS: AFTER LASER THERAPY

After Laser Therapy

LASER is short for Light Amplified by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.

A laser is a high-powered, very focused light. For our purposes, the laser is used to recontour and remove excess gum tissue, uncover slowly erupting teeth, or to treat painful canker and cold sores. Laser treatment is very safe, and healing with laser treatment occurs rapidly. The laser both cauterizes the treated area — so that little to no bleeding occurs — and sterilizes the area to prevent infection.

FOLLOWING TREATMENT WITH THE SOFT TISSUE DIODE LASER, YOU MAY EXPERIENCE

• Slight soreness of area treated with the laser
• White and/or brown discoloration of gums in the area treated

FOR THE FIRST 1–3 DAYS FOLLOWING TREATMENT, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU

• Brush very gently in areas treated by laser
• Use warm saltwater rinses several times daily. If you do not care for the taste of salt water, Peroxyl® rinse can be purchased at a local pharmacy in the toothpaste aisle.

In cases where the gums were puffy/infected before laser treatment, some slight bleeding along the gum line after tooth brushing may be noticed for several days.

After 2–4 days, the tissue should be healed normally. Healing with laser treatment occurs very rapidly. Should you have any additional questions following laser treatment, please contact our office.