Laser Depigmentation in Irvine, CA

What is Laser Depigmentation Treatment?

Laser Depigmentation (also called Laser Gum Bleaching, Laser Gum Lightening) is a process that removes pigment from the gums in order to make them lighter or "pinker". This treatment is designed to improve the aesthetics of your smile by giving the gums an even appearance.

The gums are usually pink. However, excessive deposits of melanin may appear as brown or black patches or spots. Hyper-pigmentation is the term for these spots, which can vary in size. They can be small or large and cover most of your gum surface.

Lips and gums can frame your smile, and have a significant impact on how you look. PerioLase MVP-7 settings are used in our office to address this cosmetic concern with a fast, safe and comfortable procedure.

PerioLase MV-7 Laser Gum Depigmentation Benefits:

Fast, safe and comfortable
No blades or burs
Remove isolated spots of gum or lighten them evenly
Target melanin selectively without damaging healthy tissues
Patient satisfaction is higher and there are better aesthetic outcomes

What causes the gums to be dark?

The pigment that gives skin its color and tone is melanin. The gums and lips can develop brown or black patches if you have a higher amount of melanin. This is known as melanin hyperpigmentation, or gingival pigmentation. Dark gums may be a problem for people of certain cultures, or those with pigmentation imbalances. The removal of the denser melanin, which is cosmetically acceptable and harmless, is a cosmetic procedure.

PerioLase MVP-7 Laser Depigmentation

Dental lasers can be faster than traditional methods of depigmenting gums using burrs and scalpels. Not all dental lasers are created equal! The PerioLase MVP-7 wavelength targets melanocytes and destroys them in the gingival tissue. The only melanocytes that are affected are those in the gums. This keeps your gums healthy. Some lasers are similar to "laser skin peels" and work in a different way. The lasers vaporize each layer of the skin until they reach the melanocytes. This means that healthy tissue will also be destroyed. Lasers using the "peel" method can cause more bleeding. PerioLase MVP-7 lasers selectively kill the bacteria responsible for gum disease. This technology allows us to decontaminate the gums.

Frequently Asked Questions about Laser Gum Depigmentation:

Does Laser Gum Depigmentation hurt?

You won't feel a thing during the procedure because local anesthesia is used. The treated area can feel tender after the procedure, like the sensation you get when you bite into hot food. After the procedure, you can eat normally and drink as usual but for a couple of days avoid spicy food. If necessary, NSAIDs can be taken over-the-counter like ibuprofen or aspirin.
How long does laser depigmentation last?

If you take care of your gums, the results of laser pigmentation can last a long time. The longevity of laser pigmentation is affected by smoking.
What is Gingival Hyper-Pigmentation?

Gingiva is the tissue that covers your teeth from your base to your lips. Melanin, a natural pigment, determines the color and tone of your skin. Dark spots or irregularities in the color of your lips and gums can be caused by an abnormally high concentration of melanin. This condition is known as Gingival hyper-pigmentation.
How long does laser depigmentation take?

Laser treatment can be used to remove dark gums with accuracy and speed in just one visit. The healing time is also very quick. Some areas that are very dark may need more than one treatment. Local anesthesia will be used to perform the procedure.