Systematic Review of Post-Surgical Laser-Assisted Oral Soft Tissue Outcomes Using Surgical Wavelengths Outside the 650-1350 nm Optical Window

Twelve-Year Follow-Up of Laser Frenectomy during Early Mixed Dentition

Median maxillary labial frenum (MMLF) is one of the oral freni, found on the inner side of the centre of the upper lip. Maxillary midline diastema (MMD) is commonly associated with highly attached frenum, and frenectomy during early mixed dentition is controversial. A 6-year-old boy came with a chief complaint of unpleasant spacing between the two upper front teeth. A median maxillary high attached labial frenum with midline spacing of 5 mm was diagnosed. A consensus was made with the child's father to remove the frenum by laser. Diode laser frenectomy was done, and subsequent follow-up for 12 years revealed no relapse and complete closure of the diastema. Frenectomy during early mixed dentition could be a suitable option for the closure of midline diastema.

Wound healing after therapy of oral potentially malignant disorders with a 445-nm semiconductor laser: a randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVES

Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) are the most clinically relevant precursor lesions of the oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). OSCC is one of the 15 most common cancers worldwide. OSCC is with its high rate of mortality an important cause of death worldwide. The diagnosis and therapy of clinically relevant precursor lesions of the OSCC is one of the main parts of prevention of this malignant disease. Targeted therapy is one of the main challenges concerning an oncologically safe tissue removal without overwhelming functional and aesthetic impairment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this randomized controlled trial, a newly introduced intraoral 445-nm semiconductor laser (2W; cw-mode; SIROLaser Blue, Dentsply Sirona, Bensheim, Germany) was used in the therapy of OPMDs. Duration and course of wound healing, pain, and scar tissue formation were compared to classical cold blade removal with primary suture by measuring remaining wound area, tissue colorimetry, and visual analogue scale. The study includes 40 patients randomized using a random spreadsheet sequence in two groups (n1 = 20; n2 = 20).

RESULTS

This comparative analysis revealed a significantly reduced remaining wound area after 1, 2, and 4 weeks in the laser group compared to the cold blade group (p < 0.05). In the laser group, a significantly reduced postoperative pain after 1 week was measured (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Laser coagulation of OPMDs with the investigated 445-nm semiconductor laser is a safe, gentle, and predictable surgical procedure with beneficial wound healing and reduced postoperative discomfort.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Compared to the more invasive and bloody cold blade removal with scalpel, the 445-nm semiconductor laser could be a new functional less traumatic tool in the therapy of OPMDs. The method should be further investigated with regard to the identification of further possible indications.

TRAIL REGISTRATION

German Clinical Trials Register No: DRKS00032626.

Efficacy of laser in re-osseointegration of dental implants-a systematic review

Despite their high success rates, peri-implantitis can affect the stability and function of dental implants. Various treatment modalities have been investigated for the treatment of peri-implantitis to achieve re-osseointegration. An electronic literature search was performed supplemented by a manual search to identify studies published until January 2022. Articles that evaluated re-osseointegration in peri-implantitis sites in animal models following laser therapy or antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) were included. Case reports, case series, systematic reviews, and letters to the editor were excluded. Risk of bias and GRADE assessment were followed to evaluate the quality of the evidence. Six studies out of 26 articles identified on electronic search were included in this review. The studies included animal studies conducted on canine models. Four out of six studies reported a higher degree of re-osseointegration following treatment of implants with laser therapy. The findings suggest that laser decontamination shows potential in enhancing re-osseointegration, particularly with the Er: YAG laser, which effectively decontaminated implant surfaces. However, conflicting outcomes and limitations in the evidence quality warrant caution in drawing definitive conclusions. Based on the limited available evidence, laser therapy may show a higher degree of re-osseointegration of implants than mechanical debridement.