Effects on oral soft tissue produced by a diode laser in vitro.
OBJECTIVE
This investigation determined incision characteristics and soft-tissue damage resulting from standardized incisions using a wide range of laser modes and parameters of a diode laser at 810 nm.


METHODS
Histologic examinations were performed to verify vertical and horizontal tissue damage as well as incision depth and width.


RESULTS
Incision depth and width correlated strongly with average powers, but not with laser parameters or the used tips. No laser damage was visible to the naked eye in the bone underlying the incisions in the range between 0.5-4.5 W.


CONCLUSIONS
The remarkable cutting ability and the tolerable damage zone clearly show that the diode laser is a very effective and, because of its excellent coagulation ability, useful alternative in soft-tissue surgery of the oral cavity.
Goharkhay
K
K
Department of Conservative Dentistry, Dental School, University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
Moritz
A
A
Wilder-Smith
P
P
Schoop
U
U
Kluger
W
W
Jakolitsch
S
S
Sperr
W
W
D000818:Animals; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008334:Mandible; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000293:injuries / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013515:Surgery, Oral / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013552:Swine