Dr. Martin Kaplan Uses The LightScalpel CO₂ Laser

Martin Kaplan, DMD, is an accomplished pediatric dentist in Bolton, MA. Although he has numerous lasers in his clinic, Dr. Kaplan chooses to use his LightScalpel CO₂ laser to perform intraoral soft-tissue surgeries on babies and infants.  Here is his reasoning behind such choice:

1 – Access is through a small mouth – handpiece needs to be small and ergonomic

2 – 100% predictable and reliable both for ablation depth and coagulation/Hemostasis

3 – Excess thermal damage is unacceptable as it delays healing and increases parents’ complaints

4 – Risk of collateral damage to the adjacent lateral tissue is low (1-3 mm tip-to-tissue distance ensures precise, controllable cutting)

5 – Risk of thermal damage to the underlying tissue is low (due to shallow ablation depth with instant coagulation); this makes the CO₂ laser safe for thin tissue

To show how the LightScalpel CO₂ laser can be effectively used in infant frenectomies, Dr. Kaplan shared one of his cases. The patient presented for failure to thrive. The examination revealed that the baby needed both labial and lingual frenectomy.  The CO₂ laser yielded great results with nice tissue response, fast ablation and instant hemostasis. The post-op visits showed good healing. The baby’s latch-on and sucking ability improved and in 7 days after the surgery the baby gained 13 oz.