Oral and Maxillofacial

When laser technology was first introduced to the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS or OMFS) in the mid-1980s, the only laser available to the surgeon was the 10.6 micrometers CO₂ laser, mainly due to its “outstanding cutting abilities” ^[1]. Strauss and Coleman ^[1] repeatedly refer to the “excellent tissue-cutting abilities” of the CO₂ laser such as “better control of bleeding, less surgical time, more precise tissue removal, less morbidity and complications, and excellent healing with virtually no scarring.” Even today, three decades later, the CO₂ laser remains the primary laser used in major oral laser surgery ^[1].

CO₂ lasers not only enhance the current surgical options for treatment, but they have also expanded the scope of practice. There are numerous uses for lasers in OMS.

Oral laser surgery provides excellent uniform results and can be successfully used in a wide variety of procedures.

Due to the aforementioned advantages, the CO₂ laser is well suited for treating premalignant lesions, such as leukoplakias, as well as cancerous and aggressive benign tumors of the larynx, pharynx, oral cavity and lips by total excision in cutting mode or ablation (performed on premalignant forms) ^[2]. Many surgeons maintain that the CO₂ laser coagulates blood and lymphatic vessels at the surgical margins – and this brings down the amount of hematogenous and lymphatic seeding and potential metastasis and reduces recurrence rates ^[3,4,5]. Strauss and Coleman ^[1] point out that in comparison with traditional blade surgery, oral laser surgery allows for better visibility with a bloodless field and more precise tissue removal, without harming tissue that surrounds the lesion.

The LightScalpel CO₂ laser system is a useful tool in a wide variety of soft-tissue oral laser surgery procedures. The list below names just a few laser-assisted oral laser surgery applications. LightScalpel laser oral surgery FDA cleared indications:

• Frenum release/frenectomy
• Abscess (drainage)
• Flap surgery
• Biopsy (incisional & excisional)
• Aphthous ulcers (incision & excision)
• Excision & ablation of lesions, benign & malignant lesions, oral cavity tumors, and hemangioma
• Salivary gland pathologies
• Preprosthetic gum preparation, leukoplakia
• Partial glossectomy
• Periodontal gum resection
• Homeostasis
• Operculectomy
• Crown lengthening (soft tissue)
• Incision of infection when used with antibiotic therapy
• Extraction site hemostasis

The latest advances in flexible fiber CO₂ laser technology continue to enhance oral laser surgery –  in oral and maxillofacial practices.