In some situations, a laser is used in periodontal disease therapy. A laser can help in areas of periodontal infection to help remove diseased gum tissue lining deep periodontal pockets. The goals are to eliminate or substantially reduce periodontally diseased gums and/or pockets to help control or prevent future periodontal disease progression. During a laser gingivectomy, your doctor will use a local anesthetic to numb the area and will use a laser to reshape and remove the excess and/or infected gum tissue. By treating infected gum tissue, your doctor will be able to remove bacteria contributing to the disease and will allow greater access for cleaning the root surface of debris and calculus. Using a laser can result in less bleeding and can also accelerate your healing experience. Laser treatment can facilitate reattachment of the laser-treated gum tissues to the roots by promoting growth of new bone and/or root surfaces, which helps to promote long-term periodontal health. If left untreated, periodontal disease can progress and result in increased destruction of the tooth's supporting bone and soft tissue that can ultimately lead to premature tooth loss, infection, and abscess. Periodontal disease also contributes to increased inflammation throughout your body that can negatively impact health. Lost teeth require replacement with costly procedures and prosthetics. It is important to consult with your doctor to develop a treatment plan unique to your situation that best addresses infected gum tissue while reducing the potential consequences caused by periodontal disease.