title: 980 nm diode lasers in oral and facial practice: current state of the science and art.
abstract: 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.
authors: Department of Dental Sciences and Surgery, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
authors: Apollonia
authors: A
authors: Desiate
authors: Stefania
authors: S
authors: Cantore
authors: Domenica
authors: D
authors: Tullo
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Profeta
authors: Felice Roberto
authors: FR
authors: Grassi
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Ballini
mesh_terms: 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