Current Status of Lasers in Soft Tissue Dental Surgery

Abstract

The aims of this paper are to briefly describe laser physics, the types of lasers currently available for use on soft tissues focusing primarily on CO2 and Nd:YAG laser energies, the histological effects of lasers on oral tissues, laser safety, the clinical applications of lasers on oral soft tissues, and future directions. Of the two types of lasers currently available for dental applications, both the CO2 and Nd:YAG lasers can be used for frenectomies, ablation of lesions, incisional and excisional biopsies, gingivectomies, gingivoplasties, soft tissue tuberosity reductions, operculum removal, coagulation of graft donor sites, and certain crown lengthening procedures. The advantages of lasers include a relatively bloodless surgical and post-surgical course, minimal swelling and scarring, coagulation, vaporization, and cutting, minimal or no suturing, reduction in surgical time, and, in a majority of cases, much less or no post-surgical pain. CO2 lasers, compared to Nd:YAG are faster for most procedures, with less depth of tissue penetration and a well-documented history. There have been recent reports on the use of the Nd:YAG laser for periodontal scaling, gingival curettage, and root desensitization, but further research needs to be conducted. Both the CO2 and the Nd:YAG laser have limited use in conventional flap therapy.

Pathomorphological distinction between Er:YAG and diode lasers on the excisional biopsy of the oral mucosa

“…There are different speculations about the diode laser thermal effects on the soft tissue in the oral cavity. Some authors report tissue modifications not influencing pathomorphological examination [2,11], whereas others have results comparable with ours [3,10]. Results probably vary depending on what research method the group of investigators had chosen.…”

“…Although more than twenty years of experiments and investigations have established the capability of the laser systems to treat a great variety of pathological changes in the soft tissues of the oral cavity [1]. Today lasers are often used in dentist practices because of some their undeniable advantages: lack of bacterial contamination, strong hemostatical effect, postoperative reduction of the inflamation and serious decrease of pain levels amongst the patients [2,3].…”

“…The wavelength that the laser produces is well absorbed by hemoglobin molecules in soft tissues which produces a potential risk of deep thermal damage [2].…”

İlaca Bağli Di̇şeti̇ Büyümesi̇ İki̇ Vaka Sunumu

“…Hastanın hipertansiyonu kontrol altında değilse, operasyon sonrası oluşan hemoroji riski nedeniyle ertelenmelidir. 19,22,23 Ġlaca bağlı dişeti büyümelerin klinik ve histolojik görümü benzerdir. Bu büyümeler genellikle interdental papilladan başlar ve genellikle yapışık dişeti ile sınırlıdır.…”

Diastema medio interincisal y su relación con el frenillo labial superior: una revisión

“…• Funcionales, cuando interfieran con las funciones de alimentación y fonación (26,44,51,58 (62). Por mucho tiempo la edad recomendada para iniciar el tratamiento ha sido motivo de controversia y aún continúa siendo discutible.…”