The Sharplan Carbon Dioxide Laser in Clinical Surgery: 7 Years’ Experience

Evaluation of Patient Perceptions After Frenectomy Operations: A Comparison of Carbon Dioxide Laser and Scalpel Techniques

“…The CO 2 laser is now a viable alternative to the scalpel in soft tissue surgery. 6,7,15,[26][27][28][29][30][31] There is abundant evidence confirming markedly less bleeding, 11,29,30 particularly of highly vascular oral tissues, with laser surgery. 2-4,6-8,11-14, 21,23,25 However, there are very few studies comparing the postoperative effects of laser and conventional techniques, which can justify the use of lasers for intraoral soft tissue surgery.…”

“…Because oral tissues are composed of >90% water, and considering the affinity of the CO 2 laser for wet tissue, it is readily applicable for most intraoral soft tissue surgery, including frenectomies. 27 Some reports suggest that laser-created wounds heal more quickly and produce less scar tissue than conventional scalpel surgery, 28 although contrary evidence also exists. 7,25-29 Anecdotal reports claiming that incising oral soft tissue with a laser is less painful than using a scalpel and therefore requires less local anesthesia have no scientific confirmation to date.…”

“…2-4,6-8,11-14, 21,23,25 However, there are very few studies comparing the postoperative effects of laser and conventional techniques, which can justify the use of lasers for intraoral soft tissue surgery. 7,[25][26][27][28][29] Anecdotal reports claiming that incising oral soft tissue with a laser is less painful than using a scalpel and therefore requires less local anesthesia have no scientific confirmation to date. In our study, patients treated with the CO 2 laser had significantly less postoperative pain and functional complications compared to scalpel surgery.…”

“…On the other hand, the laser technique offers some advantages, such as a relatively bloodless surgical and post-surgical event; the ability to precisely coagulate, vaporize, or cut tissue; sterilization of the wound site; minimal swelling 6,7,15,[26][27][28][29][30][31] There is abundant evidence confirming markedly less bleeding, 11,29,30 particularly of highly vascular oral tissues, with laser surgery. 27 Some reports suggest that laser-created wounds heal more quickly and produce less scar tissue than conventional scalpel surgery, 28 although contrary evidence also exists. [31][32][33] Postoperative pain from oral and otolaryngological surgical procedures has been claimed to be reduced in laser surgery.…”

Gingival Enlargement Induced by Drugs

“…Gingivectomy using electrosurgery is particularly useful for mentally handicapped patients, since it produces minimal pain and postoperative discomfort in comparison with conventional surgery. [135) Gingivectomy using C02 laser, a technique introduced into dental practice in the past decade [145][146][147][148] is especially useful in patients with heart disease who are receiving anticoagulants [145,149,150) and in patients with psychomotor retardation. [15I) It is an atraumatic procedure that avoids bleeding and facilitates a comfortable and relatively pain-free postoperative recovery.…”