Laser Gum Bleaching (Gum Depigmentation)
Laser Gum Bleaching or Depigmentation is a pain free and quick cosmetic procedure to remove the black spots on your gums and give them a nice pink look.
What Is Laser Gum Depigmentation?
This procedure for bleaching or lightening the gums is called different names including: dark gum treatment, gum bleaching, gum lightening, gum whitening, and gum depigmentation. The term gum bleaching better describes the result of the procedure rather than the method used. We do not apply bleach to the gums. Instead, we use a minor surgical process to remove discolouration from the gums.
What causes dark, or patchy gums?
People have different natural gum tones. Often, darkening of the gums can occur because of an irritant or staining, and isn’t a person’s natural gum color. Fortunately, laser gum depigmentation is one way to remove dark pigment and restore the gums to a pink colour.
Melanin is the pigment responsible for skin colour. Higher levels of melanin usually mean darker skin. Irritation can cause melanin to be produced. For example, when you tan, your skin is producing melanin to defend itself against the sun’s harmful UV rays.
Just like our skin, our gums can come in a variety of shades, however in some cases our gums may appear patchy rather than uniform in their colour.
Our gums also produce extra pigment when irritated. Irritants like cigarette smoke cause an increase in melanin production in the gums. The darker colour is usually more visible in smokers who have a lighter skin complexion. Known as “smoker’s melanosis,”.
Addison’s Disease and anti-malarial drugs can also cause dark spots to develop on gums. Even amalgam fillings may cause dark patches to appear.
Why Laser Gum Depigmentation?
Different procedures have been proposed for gingival depigmentation.
Surgical Methods are very common such as Scalpel surgical technique, Bur abrasion method. Laser depigmentation is a scalpel free form of treatment, that does not cause gum bleeding.
Chemical Methods.: Chemical agents such as 90% phenol in combination with 95 %. This mixture was found to burn out the pigmented gingiva by destroying tissue down to and slightly below the basal layer of the mucous membranes.
Among the various techniques, lasers offer a promising therapeutic option since it is simple, painless, and predictable. The laser has been recognized as the most effective and reliable technique having many advantages as compared to other conventional treatment modalities. It provides a bloodless and painless surgery
Laser Gum Depigmentation FAQs
How long does the Laser Gum Depigmentation procedure take?
The duration of the procedure is specific to each patient. For example, a patient who is getting treatment on a single spot will undergo a quicker procedure than a patient who is receiving treatment on both their top and bottom gums.
What is the recovery time for Laser Gum Depigmentation?
Patients can resume their normal activities immediately after the procedure. We will just remind the patients to gently and cautiously approach their gums immediately after the procedure, especially when they eat, brush their teeth, etc.
What is the success rate of the Laser Gum Depigmentation procedure?
The gingiva is considered the most frequently pigmented tissue in the oral cavity. This procedure is always successful in lightening the patient’s gums to the desired shade. It is not uncommon for the patient to come in more than once for Laser Gum Depigmentation in order to reach the shade that they consider being successful.
Who is at Risk for Gum Hyperpigmentation? Who Is a Candidate?
It is essential to understand the cause of a mucosal pigmentation before planning the treatment of such lesion. The main guideline is simply that the gums must be healthy. We can assess your gum health at the free consultation that you have with our dentist.
This cosmetic treatment is not suitable for:
It may range from physiologic reasons to manifestations of systemic illnesses (e.g. Addison's disease) to malignant, Neoplasms (e.g. melanoma and Kaposi's sarcoma).
Patients with oral disease
Patients with dark gums caused by periodontal disease (this is not a surface pigment problem)
Patients taking blood thinners (these can cause excessive bleeding during treatment)
Patients with thin gum tissue or prominent tooth roots (they may experience ongoing sensitivity if roots are accidentally exposed by the removal of the gum tissue)
Is Laser Gum Depigmentation procedure painful?
Laser Gum Depigmentation is completely painless. The diode laser was shown to be a safe and effective treatment modality that provides optimal aesthetics with minimal discomfort in patients with gingival hyperpigmentation.
Do I need to be numbed for this procedure?
Yes. The painlessness of the procedure is because of the numbing each patient receives prior to the laser
How Long Does the Gum De-pigmentation Treatment Last?
One gum depigmentation treatment can last 20 years or up to a lifetime.
How much does the Laser Gum Depigmentation procedure cost?
We charge £485.00 per arch. The price will vary depending largely on the patient and their specific treatment. Treatment planners will discuss cost with the patient once the areas requiring treatment are determined. The areas that receive treatment are completely up to the patient, with the guidance of our expertise. We give our patients recommendations based upon what will be the most aesthetically pleasing. For example, if both the upper and lower gums show when the patient smiles, we would recommend treating both the top and bottom gums. The reason for this is to ensure both the top and bottom gums are the same shade. If only the top gums are present when the patient smiles, treatment of both the upper and lower gums is not completely necessary. This decision is up to the patient.
Side Effects and Post Treatment
Due to the nature of laser treatment the gums will be sensitive and sore following treatment.
There will be at least 2 courses of treatment required to remove pigmentation