The Effect of CO 2 Laser Irradiation on Oral Soft Tissue Problems in Children in Sri Lanka

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of CO₂ laser irradiation on oral tissue problems in pediatric cases in Sri Lanka. Background Data: The CO₂ laser is now widely used as an effective surgical tool to cut or ablate soft tissues. However, few studies have reported the effectiveness of CO₂ laser for oral tissue problems in developing countries, where patients tend to have high rates of infection. Materials and Methods: A continuous CO₂ laser (wavelength 10.6 μm; output power 3 or 4 W) was used for the treatment of 76 young patients (aged 1 to 15 years old) indicated mainly for labial or lingual frenectomy, mucocele excision, or other oral pathology. Results: The CO₂ laser was found to have the following advantages: (1) greatly reduced operating time; (2) simple operative procedure; (3) no postsurgical infection; and (4) decreased or eliminated wound contracture and wound scarring. Conclusion: The CO₂ laser proved to be very safe and effective for soft tissue surgery in a developing country.