Application of CO₂ laser in Minor Surgery of Oral Soft Tissue : Case Reports

Abstract

Conventional surgical therapy for oral soft tissue includes the use of scalpel, diathermy, cryotherapy and electrosurgery. But, these therapies have some surgical problems. Nowadays, laser surgery can be considered as the another option for conventional surgical therapy. Compared to conventional surgical therapies, advantages of laser therapy include maintenance of sterile conditions, promotion of wound healing, reduction of bleeding, less instruments, post operative pain reduction, less scar, saving cost by using fewer materials, staff and time. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser uses gaseous medium, and has long wavelength about 10,600㎚. The first advantage of CO₂ laser for surgical treatment of oral soft tissue is hemostasis and visibility improvement by making relatively dry field. These case reports are about cases of minor surgery of oral soft tissue using CO₂ laser, and emphasize advantages of laser compared to conventional surgical therapies