Laser Energy in Oral Soft Tissue Application--JLD 18(3) 2010

I N T R O D U C T I O N Lasers have been used for oral soft tissue dental procedures for more than 30 years, and have been researched since the middle 1960s. Their reported benefits over conventional treatment modalities include: reducing numbers of appointments, reducing stress, improving visibility, improving patient comfort, and reducing complications. Critics have commented that most of these advantages are anecdotal and need to be substantiated with further research. With scientific references, this paper will show: • Fundamental laser-tissue interaction with oral soft tissue; • Laser use can be minimally invasive compared to conventional modalities; • Laser energy can aid in hemostasis, providing for improved visibility during a surgical procedure; • Laser irradiation can reduce bacteria; • Laser use can help in wound healing and can produce other photobiomodulation effects; • Laser energy can reduce pain when compared to conventional methods.