title: The advantages of carbon dioxide laser applications in paediatric oral surgery. A prospective cohort study.
abstract: The aim of this study is to evaluate and demonstrate the advantages of the carbon dioxide laser in paediatric oral surgery patients in terms of less post-operative complications, healing without scaring, functional benefits, positive patient perception and acceptance of the treatment. One hundred fit and healthy paediatric patients (aged 4-15 years) were recruited to undergo laser surgery for different soft tissue conditions. The outcome of these laser treatments was examined. The Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale was employed to evaluate the pain before, immediately after laser treatment in the clinic and 1 day after post-operatively at home. Post-operative complications and patients' perception and satisfaction were self-reported during a review telephone call the day after treatment. The patients were reviewed 2 weeks after surgery. Laser parameter was 1.62 W, measured by power meter, continuous wave mode with 50 % emission cycle. The beam spot size at the target tissue was 0.8 mm. The pain score pre-operative, during and immediately after laser treatment was rated 0. Whilst the pain score 1 day after surgery was rated between 0 and 2, the healing time was measured over 2 weeks. None of the patients reported post-operative complications after surgery. Patients' perception and acceptance were rated very good. Laser dentistry is a promising field in modern minimally invasive dentistry, which enables provision of better care for children and adolescents. In this cohort study, the use of the carbon dioxide laser therapy offers a desirable, acceptable and minimally invasive technique in the surgical management of soft tissues in paediatric oral surgery with minimal post-operative complications.
authors.affiliation: Oral Surgery Department, Dental Institute, King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS, UK. reem.hanna@nhs.net.|Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy. reem.hanna@nhs.net.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hanna
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Parker
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D063169:Dentofacial Deformities / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D054020:Lasers, Gas / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Advantages; CO2 laser; Laser applications; Lasers; Paediatric dentistry; Patients’ pain scoring; Patients’ perception; Soft tissue healing