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laser - international magazine of laser dentistry No. 2, 2017

| industry Laser in soft tissue treatment Author: Hans-Joachim Koort, Germany The combination of a 975 nm diode laser and a 2.2 MHz radio frequency generator in one device (LaserHF; MedLas Medical) has proven to be a unique and valuable solution for the dental soft tissue management. In search for optimal instru- ments for dental soft tissue treatment both laser and radio frequency devices have shown a satisfy- ing performance. In both technologies, the rapid and locally precise heating of soft tissue is used for cutting as well as for coagulating. Laser vs. radio frequency The well-known advantages of laser light become obvious in superficial applications, as for example in the elimination of bacteria in periodon- tic and endodontic treatments, to expose over- grown implants or trim gingival tissue. However, there are differences in the use of laser. Especially in surgical procedures when a higher power is requested such as in the removal of fibroma and Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Fig. 1: Cutting of tissue with laser: The tissue is removed layer-by-layer; the deeper the cut, the greater the heat damage at the lesion base. Since the emitted laser radiation also heats the fibre end, the tissue is exposed to additional stress. Fig. 2: Cutting of tissue with radio frequency: The tissue is removed by only one precise, uniform section in the entire length of the inserted electrode. The metal electrode remains cold at 2.2 MHz. Fig. 3: Histological section of stan- dardised gingiva sample (HE-staining) with radio frequency at 2.2 MHz, 20 W permanent. Fig. 4: Histological section of stan- dardised gingiva sample (HE-staining) with laser at 975 nm, 3 W cw. Fig. 3 Fig. 4 18 laser 2 2017

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