Services
Laser Dentistry
We use dental lasers for precise, comfortable gum and soft-tissue treatment, often with less bleeding and faster healing.
Why choose us
Benefits of Laser Dentistry
Gentler Gum Treatment
We use dental lasers to treat gum tissue with a lighter touch than traditional methods.
Precise, Targeted Care
Lasers let us focus treatment on the exact area that needs attention.
Comfort-Focused Options
If you feel anxious, we can pair laser treatment with nitrous oxide or oral sedation.
Supports Your Smile Goals
Lasers can play a role in gum contouring, gingivectomy, and periodontal care here in our office.
All Ages Welcome
We treat children and adults, and you don't need a referral to see us.
A patient comes in because their gums bleed every time they floss, and the tissue around a few back teeth feels tender and puffy. Another has a small amount of extra gum tissue making one front tooth look shorter than its neighbor. A third needs a crown lengthened before a restoration can fit properly. In each of these situations, a dental laser can often do the work that once required a scalpel and sutures — with more precision, less bleeding, and a gentler recovery. That is the role laser dentistry plays in our Ocala office: a quieter, more comfortable tool we reach for when it is the right fit for the treatment at hand.
Laser dentistry uses a focused beam of light energy to treat soft tissue and support certain procedures with a high degree of accuracy. Because the energy is concentrated on a very small area, we can shape or remove tissue while leaving the healthy structure around it undisturbed. The laser also tends to seal as it works, which often means less bleeding during the appointment and less swelling afterward compared with traditional techniques.
In practice, we most often use laser treatment in connection with gum disease treatment, gum contouring, gingivectomy, and crown lengthening. If you have been told you have periodontal pockets that aren't responding to cleanings alone, laser therapy may be paired with scaling and root planing to address inflamed tissue. If your smile looks "gummy" or uneven, cosmetic gum contouring can reshape the gumline so your teeth appear more balanced. And when a tooth is broken or decayed near the gumline, crown lengthening exposes enough healthy tooth structure for a crown or other restoration to be placed securely.
Most adults who need soft-tissue treatment are reasonable candidates, but the only way to know is an exam. At your first visit, we review your medical history, examine your gums and teeth, and talk through what is causing the problem — whether that's chronic inflammation, bone loss, tissue overgrowth, or a cosmetic concern about proportion. We also perform oral cancer screenings as part of our exams, so soft-tissue health is something we're looking at carefully regardless of why you came in.
From there, we explain honestly whether a laser is the better approach or whether conventional periodontal surgery, gum grafting, or another treatment will serve you better. Laser dentistry is a tool, not a cure-all, and some conditions respond best to other methods — including periodontal regeneration or gum grafting, both of which we provide. Patients who feel anxious about dental work should know we offer nitrous oxide sedation and oral sedation when appropriate, and many laser procedures require only local anesthesia. We see patients of all ages and accept patients without a referral for periodontal care.
Things worth knowing before you decide:
- Treatment plans are built around your diagnosis, not a one-size-fits-all protocol
- Some conditions need more than one visit, especially when several areas of the mouth are involved
- Laser work is often combined with other care, such as scaling and root planing or a new crown
- Ongoing periodontal maintenance visits protect the results of gum disease treatment
Aftercare and What Results Look Like
Recovery from laser soft-tissue treatment is typically straightforward. We send you home with specific instructions covering what to eat, how to clean the treated area, and what sensations are normal in the first several days. Tenderness is common at first, and we ask you to be gentle with brushing near the site while the tissue settles. If anything concerns you between visits, we want to hear from you — we also keep room in the schedule for emergency appointments.
Results depend on what we treated. Gum contouring and gingivectomy produce a visible change in the shape of the gumline once healing is complete. Crown lengthening prepares the tooth for the restorative step that follows, and because we have an on-site dental lab, we're able to move efficiently from preparation to the finished crown. Gum disease treatment is more of an ongoing partnership: the laser addresses inflamed tissue, and regular cleanings and home care keep the improvement in place.
Insurance, Payment, and Booking in Ocala
We accept all major PPO insurance plans and file claims as a General Practitioner. We also welcome self-pay and cash patients, and we offer flexible payment plans so cost doesn't force you to postpone care you need. Our team will go over estimated coverage with you before treatment begins.
Ocala Dental Care has served this community for more than thirty years, and Dr. Hussein Salifu and Dr. Marco Geris see patients from Ocala, Belleview, Silver Springs, The Villages, Dunnellon, Summerfield, Lady Lake, Marion Oaks, and the surrounding area. If sore gums, an uneven gumline, or a tooth that needs restoring has been on your mind, call us and let's take a look together.
The process
What to expect
- 1
Exam And Consultation
We examine your teeth and gums, talk through your concerns, and explain whether laser treatment fits your needs.
- 2
Laser Treatment Visit
We perform your treatment in our Ocala office, with sedation options available if you'd like them.
- 3
Healing And Follow-Up
We share simple aftercare instructions and schedule any follow-up or periodontal maintenance visits you need.