Effects on oral soft tissue produced by a diode laser in vitro

Background and Objectives: This investigation determined incision character istics and soft-tissue damage resulting from standardized incisions using a wide range of laser modes and parameters of a diode laser at 810 nm. Study Design/Materials and Methods: Histologic examinations were performed to verify vertical and horizontal tissue damage as well as incision depth a nd width. Results: Incision depth and width correlated strongly with average powers, but not with laser parameters or the used tips. No laser damage was visible to the naked eye in the bone underlying the incisions in the range between 0.5-4.5 W. Conclusion: The remarkable cutting ability and the tolerable damage zone cl early show that the diode laser is a very effective and, because of its exc ellent coagulation ability, useful alternative in soft-tissue surgery of th e oral cavity. Lasers Surg. Med. 25:401-406, 1999. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc .