980 nm diode lasers in oral and facial practice: current state of the science and art.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a 980 nm diode laser for the treatment of benign facial pigmented and vascular lesions, and in oral surgery.


METHODS
20 patients were treated with a 980 nm diode laser. Oral surgery: 5 patients (5 upper and lower frenulectomy). Fluence levels were 5-15 J/cm(2); pulse lengths were 20-60 ms; spot size was 1 mm. Vascular lesions: 10 patients (5 small angiomas, 5 telangiectases). Fluences were 6-10 J/cm(2); pulse lengths were 10-50 ms; spot size was 2 mm. In all cases the areas surrounding the lesions were cooled. Pigmented lesions: 5 patients (5 keratoses). All the lesions were evaluated by dermatoscopy before the treatment. Fluence levels were 7-15 J/cm(2); pulse lengths were 20-50 ms; spot size was 1 mm. All the patients were followed at 1, 4 and 8 weeks after the procedure.


RESULTS
Healing in oral surgery was within 10 days. The melanoses healed completely within four weeks. All the vascular lesions healed after 15 days without any residual scarring.


CONCLUSIONS
The end results for the use of the 980 nm diode laser in oral and facial surgery appears to be justified on the grounds of efficacy and safety of the device, and good degree of acceptance by the patients, without compromising their health and function.
Desiate
Apollonia
A
Department of Dental Sciences and Surgery, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
Cantore
Stefania
S
Tullo
Domenica
D
Profeta
Giovanni
G
Grassi
Felice Roberto
FR
Ballini
Andrea
A
D000368:Aged; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007642:Keratosis / Q000601:surgery*; D007742:Labial Frenum / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008548:Melanosis / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013684:Telangiectasis / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome