CO2 Dental Laser for Soft-Tissue Dentistry

dental lasers infant frenectomy
Why a CO2 Dental Laser?

The CO2 laser has been used for intraoral procedures since the 1960s and millions of CO2 laser procedures have been performed with Luxar-LightScalpel flexible fibers since 1991 to date. A great deal of peer-reviewed literature advocates the use of CO2 dental lasers in soft tissue dentistry due to their most important attribute: the WAVELENGTH.

A simple review of soft tissue absorption properties for all soft-tissue dental lasers (810 nm, 904 nm, 960 nm, 980 nm, 1064 nm, 9.3 micrometers, and 10.6 micrometers) reveals that the 10.6 micrometers wavelength of the CO2 laser is the most appropriate for intraoral soft tissue surgical applications.

The key to successful applications of the 10.6 micrometers CO2 lasers, and their advantages over other wavelengths, is their ability to accurately cut and efficiently coagulate the soft tissue at the same time.

testimonial author
After using a Diode laser for 13 years…the purchase of the LightScalpel CO2 laser 18 months ago was the single best investment I have made in 20 years of practice. It is so much better! Thanks Peter!!!
Brian J. Richards, DDS
Moline, IL
testimonial author
It is by far the best Laser I’ve ever used. Absolutely love how nice the handpiece feels in my hand. I highly recommend anyone looking for a laser to give the LightScalpel a try.
Jack Hahn, DDS
Designer of the Replace Implant and the Hahn Implant System
Past President and Diplomat of the American Board of Oral Implantology
Honored Fellow and Diplomat of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry
Fellow of the Academy of Osseointegration
Cincinnati, OH
Indications of use for LightScalpel CO2 Laser Systems in Dentistry

The LightScalpel Surgical Laser CO2 Laser Systems are intended and FDA-cleared for use in dental laser surgery procedures for incision, excision, ablation, and/or vaporization of soft tissue for treatment of:

Soft-Tissue Absorption Coefficient vs Wavelength Optical absorption coefficient spectra at different histologically relevant concentrations of water, hemoglobin (Hb), oxyhemoglobin (HbO2), and melanin. Logarithmic scales are in use.

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LightScalpel Dental Lasers
CO2 Laser Oral Surgery
General Dentistry

Every day, soft-tissue procedures often require accuracy, hemostasis, and efficient tissue management that fits restorative and hygiene workflows.

Common procedures

  • Operculectomy
  • Gingivectomy, gingivoplasty, and soft-tissue recontouring
  • Fibroma removal and other benign soft-tissue excisions (as indicated)
  • Biopsy (incisional and excisional)
  • Frenum release/frenectomy
  • Extraction site hemostasis
  • Aphthous and ulcerous lesion treatment (as indicated)

Publications

Orthodontics

Soft-tissue management in orthodontics frequently involves working near appliances and in areas where visibility matters.

Common procedures

  • Exposure of impacted teeth
  • Gingivectomy and gingival recontouring
  • Frenum release/frenectomy
  • Soft-tissue operculum management
Why CO2 laser in orthodontics

Compared with many other dental laser wavelengths, CO2 laser energy exhibits low interaction with stainless steel orthodontic hardware, supporting confident soft-tissue management around orthodontic appliances when used with appropriate technique and settings.

Publications

surgical laser test drive
CO2 Laser Dental Implants
Implant Dentistry

Implant dentistry often requires soft-tissue management around restorative components and implant surfaces, as well as workflows focused on peri-implant tissue health.

Common procedures

  • Soft-tissue management around implants and restorative components
  • Sulcular debridement and hyperplasia management (case-dependent)
  • Peri-implantitis-related approaches discussed in the literature (case-dependent)
Clinical note

Published peer-reviewed papers discuss CO2 laser-assisted treatment approaches for peri-implantitis and report the safety of implant surfaces under appropriate parameters. This section includes commonly cited references used when evaluating CO2 laser use near implants.

Publications

Periodontics

Periodontal care frequently includes soft-tissue procedures in which hemostasis, access, and predictable tissue management are critical.

Common procedures

  • Gingivectomy and gingivoplasty
  • Frenum release/frenectomy
  • Flap de-epithelialization (case-dependent)
  • Donor site coagulation (case-dependent)
  • Select lesion and hyperplasia management (as indicated)

Publications

“With the CO2 laser… we have limited to no bleeding, extremely low post-operative discomfort… and a significant decrease in the bacterial population of the surgical site.” – Dr. Stuart Coleton, DDS, Diplomate of both the American Board of Periodontology and the American Board of Oral Medicine

CO2 laser periodontics vestibuloplasty
prosthodontics laser
Prosthodontics

Prosthodontic workflows often benefit from soft-tissue management that supports visibility and accurate tissue contouring.

Common procedures

  • Hyperplastic gingival ablation
  • Sulcular debridement
  • Vestibuloplasty
  • Preprosthetic soft-tissue preparation

Publications

Summary

CO2 Lasers in Dentistry

The LightScalpel dental laser allows the practitioner to perform soft tissue procedures and treatments not easily done with scalpels, such as fibroma removal, aphthous and herpetic lesions treatment, soft-tissue crown lengthening, gingivectomy, gingivoplasty, soft-tissue biopsies, and others.

The American-Made LightScalpel soft-tissue dental laser is highly efficient for periodontal therapy, tissue hemostasis, and aesthetics. With the LightScalpel CO2 laser, the productivity of the dental practice increases; for example, dentists acquire the ability to perform certain procedures quickly due to the lack of anesthetic required and/or need for sutures.

With the right education and training, the LightScalpel flexible fiber CO2 laser system enables dentists to increase profit and productivity, through quicker surgical times, easier to perform soft-tissue dental procedures, it is a great marketing vehicle for dental practices, and many benefits to patients.

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