See the pictures above for actual results of the technique used in our Charlotte office.

Gum Bleaching AKA Gum De-Pigmentation

Some darker skinned individuals are not happy with the dark color of their gums. Fortunately, laser technology allows us to lighten the gum tissue safely and non-invasively, making darker gums or what some people call "black gums", lighter and more acceptable to them.

Dark gum tissue is naturally higher in the amount of melanin in the gum tissue, causing darker gums. The color is caused by excessive melanocyte cells that give skin and gums a darker color. Sometimes this pigmentation is everywhere but in some people it appears sporadically throughout the tissue.

How We Treat Dark Gums

At Ballantyne Center for Dentistry, we provide gum bleaching using the Biolase Waterlase MD, an advanced laser device that lightens the gums to a pink color. Minimally invasive, this treatment can be done in only one visit in most cases and in the office. In most patients, results are long term or permanent.

The Biolase Waterlase MD is a laser technology that uses gentle water spray rather than heat to gently remove the pigmentation. Usually the pigmentation lies within the top layers of the skin of the gums. As the tissue begins the healing process, the gums that grow back are pink in color. Healing is fast, and pain is minimal.

Of all the ways to treat "black gums", we feel the Waterlase laser technique is the safest and most effective. There is minimal bleeding during this technique and no burning or toxic chemicals used.