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ePaper created 2016-04-05, 13:01:42 | version 1.38.0
| case report 26 laser 1 2016 Immediate change to pink colour without surface ablation of the pigmented mucosa was observed. The procedure took approximately 40 seconds to complete between lower left and right canine region. Results In this case, the mucosa turns pink without any signs of surface mucosal ablation except one spot between teeth 41, 42 (Fig. 9). Sub-surface coagula tion of blood vessels gave a pink coloured appear- ance. There was very mild post-op discomfort for about one hour after loss of the anaesthetic effect. No analgesics were required as the discomfort feeling disappeared fast. Laser peeling of mucosa between 31 and 41 was notedduringphotographtakingatonedaypost-op review (Figs. 10 and 11). The three day post-op photo taken by the patient showed that the laser peel disappeared with new gingival mucosa for- mation (Fig. 12). Two weeks post-op showed com- plete recovery of the gingival mucosa without mel- anin pigmentation (Fig. 13). Discussion There has not been much information on this new wavelength. From Fig. 7, the absorption coef- ficient for haemoglobin is estimated at 7x10²/cm-1 and 10³/cm-1 for melanin. Penetration depth for haemoglobin is calculated at 140 μm and 10 μm for melanin. The penetration depth of haemoglobin and melanin with 810 nm are 2 mm and 0.1 mm re- spectively. Furthermore, scattering curve showed less tissue scattering effect with 445 nm than 810 nm. Fig. 12: Three days post-op (photo taken by patient on holiday). Fig. 13: Two weeks post-op. Fig. 12 Fig. 13 Fig. 10 Fig. 8 Fig. 11 Fig. 9 Figs. 8–11: Depigmentation of lower arch using 445 nm at 1 W CW, pre-op (Fig. 8), immediate post-op (Fig. 9), one day post-op (Fig. 10), one day post-op laser peel between 31, 41 (Fig. 11). 12016