title: Low energy KTP laser in oral soft tissue surgery:  A 52 patients clinical study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Since 1962 laser appliances have been used for soft tissues surgery of oral cavity with significant advantages compared to the traditional instruments: excellent bleeding control, possibility to avoid the use of suture, good patient compliance thanks to a decrease of intra- and post-operative discomfort and biostimulating effect. Unfortunately, the wavelengths so far used have been seen to cause, in association with an excellent ablation capacity, heat damage of the tissues that can decrease healing process and cause a greater discomfort to patients. To evaluate the laser-assisted KTP laser surgery at low power in terms of characteristics of intervention and patients compliance.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, we describe the application of a new and recently introduced in dentistry wavelength, the KTP laser (532 nm), used with low power parameter (1 Watt - CW), evaluating the time of interventions and, by a Numerical Rating Scale, the intra and postoperative pain.
  
  
  RESULTS
  KTP laser used at low power permits to obtain good pain control during operations that were carried out with only a topic anaesthetic (EMLA, Astratech), as shown in VAS tests. Good healing with limited or absent burning areas in treated portion of tissue.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These preliminary study allows us to affirm that KTP laser with low parameters permits to perform oral surgery with good pain control and good wound healing. A greater number of clinical cases are however necessary to confirm the result obtained.
authors.affiliation: Via Varini 10, 29017, Fiorenzuola d'Arda (Piacenza) Italia. carlo@fornainident.it
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fornaini
authors.forename: J-P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Rocca
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Merigo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meleti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Manfredi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nammour
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vescovi
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D009055:Mouth / Q000601:surgery*; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult