980 nm diode lasers in oral and facial practice: current state of the science and art

Keywords:diode, lasers,  Time:19-07-2015

Abstract
Aim: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a 980nm diode laser for the treatment of benign facial pigmented and vascular lesions, and in oral surgery.Materials and Methods: 20 patients were treated with a 980 nm diode laser.Oral surgery: 5 patients (5 upper and lower frenulectomy). Fluence levels were 5-15 J/cm2;pulse lengths were 20-60 ms; spot size was 1 mm.Vascular lesions: 10 patients (5 small angiomas, 5 telangiectases). Fluences were 6-10 J/cm2;pulse lengths were 10-50 ms; spot size was 2 mm. In all cases the areas surrounding the lesions were cooled.
Pigmented lesions: 5 patients (5 keratoses). All the lesions were evaluated by dermatoscopy before the treatment. Fluence levels were 7-15 J/cm2; pulse lengths were 20-50 ms; spot size was 1 mm.All the patients were followed at 1, 4 and 8 weeks after the procedure.

Results: Healing in oral surgery was within 10 days. The melanoses healed completely within four weeks. All the vascular lesions healed after 15 days without any residual scarring.Conclusions: The end results for the use of the 980 nm diode laser in oral and facial surgery appears to be justified on the grounds of efficacy and safety of the device, and good degree of acceptance by the patients, without compromising their health and function.

At the 4-week follow-up the cases of keratosis,had completely healed without scarring [Fig.1b].There were no infections. All patients were satisfied with the treatment and the results obtained.At the 4-week follow-up all the vascular lesions,had healed without leaving any macroscopically visible scars [Fig.2b,3b], after the appearance for half a day of erythema with moderate serum secretion and microcrasts for 5-7 days.In all oral surgical procedures, no haemorrhage was observed either during treatment or during the healing period. No sutures were required. The patients were comfortable with no pain, either intra-operatively or post-operatively. Haemostasis was optimum immediately after the procedure [Fig.4b].Ten days later the procedure, each healing was found to be uneventful [Fig.4c].