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Current Status of Lasers in Soft Tissue Dental Surgery
Author(s) -
Pick Robert M.,
Colvard Michael D.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
journal of periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.036
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1943-3670
pISSN - 0022-3492
DOI - 10.1902/jop.1993.64.7.589
Subject(s) - medicine , dentistry , soft tissue , laser , orthodontics , surgery , optics , physics
T he aims of this paper are to briefly describe laser physics, the types of lasers currently available for use on soft tissues focusing primarily on CO 2 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 CO 2 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. CO 2 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 CO 2 and the Nd:YAG laser have limited use in conventional flap therapy. J Periodontol 1993; 64:589–602 .

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