LightScalpel 10,600 nm CO2 Laser Procedures in Pediatric Patients

Martin Kaplan, DMD, and Peter Vitruk, PhD

Why 10,600 nm CO₂ Laser?

Soft tissue surgical lasers have many advantages over traditional scalpel surgery, cryosurgery and electrosurgery. However, not all lasers are equally efficient at both cutting the soft tissue and coagulating and hemostasis because light absorption in the soft tissue varies with wavelength.^1-3 As illustrated in Figure 1, some dental laser wavelengths (around 1,000 nm, such as diodes and Nd:YAG) are efficient coagulators, but inefficient scalpels since they are poorly absorbed by the soft tissue. Other dental laser wavelengths (around 3,000 nm, such as Erbium lasers) are well absorbed by the water-rich soft tissue and are great at cutting but are not as efficient at coagulating and hemostasis. The 10,600 nm CO₂ laser wavelength it is not as good as Erbium laser at cutting (but is a much better coagulator),² and not as good as diode/Nd:YAG laser wavelengths at coagulating (but is a much better scalpel).^2,3 The 10,600 nm CO₂ laser’s coagulation depth closely matches blood capillary diameters.² The radiant energy of the CO₂ laser is used directly to photo-thermally vaporize (cut, incise, ablate) and, at the same time, photo-thermally coagulate the soft tissues. The CO₂ laser is a “What You See Is What You Get” surgical soft tissue laser with minimal collateral thermal effects that are sufficient for sealing blood vessels, lymphatics, and nerve endings; the surface bacteria are efficiently destroyed⁴ on incision/ablation margins. The modern flexible fiber CO₂ lasers from LightScalpel, Inc. (Bothell, WA, USA) use scalpel-like ergonomic autoclavable handpiece (Figure 1) for (a) cutting, (b) ablation, and (c) photo-thermal hemostasis and coagulation. The right-angle, pen-sized, tipless LightScalpel handpiece permits easy and convenient access to the soft tissue within the oral cavity of patients of all ages, including infants. An important built-in safety feature is a sub-millimeter superficial depth of laser beam incision⁵ at low power settings (see Figure 1), which makes the CO₂ laser a gentler and more forgiving tissue vaporization instrument in comparison with a scalpel, electro-surge, or hot glass diode surgery. Also quick switch from cutting to coagulation mode is enabled by simply defocusing the beam (laser beam fluence dropping below the ablation threshold of 3 Joules/cm²).² For the CO₂ laser, its excellent coagulation efficiency is due to the close match between the sub-100 µm photo-thermal coagulation depth² and the oral soft tissue blood capillary diameters of approximately 20-40 µm.⁶

Minimized Bleeding for Enhanced Visibility and Precision

The enhanced hemostatic ability and precision of the CO₂ laser is especially valuable in visible (esthetic) zones. The CO₂ laser surgical removal of the tissue presented in Figures 2-8 illustrates excellent coagulation and hemostasis during soft tissue ablation.² Incisions with minimal bleeding, or entirely bloodless incisions, provide great visibility of the cut site, and thus higher precision for a minimized tissue trauma and better esthetic outcome.⁷

For example, Figures 2 shows the use of LightScalpel LS-1005 CO₂ laser (2 watts SuperPulse Repeat Mode with F1-6 through F1-8 settings) for soft-tissue crown lengthening of the maxillary incisors and for labial frenum revision. Both procedures were performed during the same visit while the patient received local anesthesia. No sutures were placed. Figure 2 presents the self-correction of a rotated tooth #9 after frenum revision. Laser frenectomies in Figure 3 resulted in spontaneous closure of midline diastemas.

In comparison with traditional scalpel surgery, the precision of CO₂ laser ablation allows for sub-millimeter control over tissue vaporization depth, see Figure 1. The CO₂ laser accuracy is especially important for highly vascularized areas. For example, the 14-year-old patient in Figure 4 had a CO₂ laser lingual frenectomy performed during which a sublingual vein was exposed and coagulated (sealed) with defocused laser beam. As a result, no sutures were needed and the surgical wound was left to heal by secondary intention.

Infant frenectomy is another successful range of LightScalpel CO₂ laser procedures that drastically improve the quality of life and breastfeeding for the infants and mothers. Figure 5 summarizes the case of 4 weeks old bottle-fed baby, born at 8 lbs. 6 oz., not able to breastfeed and failing to gain weight during first four weeks of her life. The baby exhibited fussiness and gassiness post feeds and choked often during feeds. Oral exam revealed “wrinkled-looking” gingiva (possible sign of dehydration) and a restricted lip frenum that was corded, thick and tight, and an anterior, tight, calloused and short tongue-frenum causing a significant tongue mobility reduction (see Figure 5A). Figure 5B illustrates the clean blood-free laser ablation. Release of tension and ability to flange the lip is now evident. During the tongue tie release the salivary glands were never involved, lasing was stopped once the restrictive tie appeared to be released enough for proper function and thee tongue is easily elevated. There were also two other areas of ablation during tongue tie release: at the anterior tip of the tongue, and at the insertion into the anterior of the lingual aspect of the mandible. At the 7-day follow-up (see Figure 5C) the mother reported feeding times were more efficient and baby’s weight gain was 1 lb. 11 oz. in the 7 days since surgery. At 3 months follow up the baby now weighed 20 lbs. (9072 gm). There were no more feeding symptoms and the baby was doing well. Unfortunately, the baby never returned to breast.

The CO₂ laser is also an excellent tool to remove the excess soft tissue. Many pediatric patients require banding of molars, but an overlying operculum gets in the way of placing appliances on these teeth. Figure 6 presents the LightScalpel LS-1005 CO₂ laser  operculectomy (3 watts SuperPulse Repeat Mode F1-7) prior to band placement. Tissue hemostasis allows for banding to happen immediately after CO₂ laser procedure – bands were seated shortly after operculectomy was performed, in the same visit.  Local anesthetic may be required in some cases.

CO₂ Laser Use in the Presence of Orthodontia Hardware

Gingival hypertrophy caused by orthodontic positioning and poor oral hygiene as well as overlying operculum are common problems during orthodontic therapy.⁷ Drug-induced hyperplasia presents another challenge for some orthodontic patients.⁷ Additionally, orthodontic devices attract bacteria and thus exacerbate the inflammation; periodontal disease often worsens in adolescents with fixed orthodontic hardware.⁷ Figures 7-8 demonstrate completely bloodless CO₂ laser gingivectomy around the mandibular incisors in the orthodontic patient. CO₂ laser gingivectomies, such as the ones presented in Figures 7-8, help improving the esthetics and oral health; they also allow for more ideal bracket placement and quicker treatment with less appointments.

Gaining access to impacted tooth or teeth is often necessary in order to place orthodontic braces. With conventional scalpel surgery, many problems occur when placing brackets, such as sutures breaking before brackets are bonded. Brackets will not bond properly if enamel is wet due to bleeding. Clean, bloodless enamel is necessary for enamel acid etching and bonding of the composite resin. Using the CO₂ laser to expose an impacted tooth produces dry surgical field thus creating conditions required for immediate bracket bonding. The CO₂ laser-assisted cuspid exposure procedure is shown in Figure 9. This quick CO₂ laser treatment allows access for bracket placement, saving the patient months of waiting for the tooth to erupt on its own. The CO₂ laser provides a clean, nonbleeding border. The CO₂ laser straight and angled handpieces, illustrated in Figure 1, permit a convenient reach into areas that may be obstructed by braces. Once an impacted tooth is exposed by laser ablation, the bloodless surgical field is ready for the next step. The orthodontic traction hook can be bonded to the exposed enamel immediately after ablation during the same visit saving time for both the patient and clinician.

An important safety consideration is the heating rate of the orthodontia that could be accidentally exposed to a direct laser beam. Due to the differences in the light reflectance of stainless steel at different wavelengths,⁸ the wavelengths of approximately 800 nm–3,000 nm (NIR-diodes, Nd:YAG and erbium lasers) are absorbed 50-250% stronger than CO₂ laser wavelengths around 10,000 nm. Such high reflectivity by stainless steel, makes the CO₂ laser the safest wavelength around stainless steel orthodontia. When compared to lasers, electrosurgical units present a different safety challenge of conducting electrical currents by orthodontic hardware during accidental contacts with electrosurgical electrodes.

Tissue Healing

With CO₂ laser-assisted oral surgery, sutures are often not necessary, unlike with scalpel procedures. Laser wounds are often left to heal by secondary intention, as presented in Figures 2-8. Studies have shown, that there is a diminished risk of scarring and wound contraction associated with CO₂ laser surgery.⁹ Laser-induced wounds heal with greater fibroblast proliferation, with young fibroblasts actively producing collagen. Laser wounds also have been reported to contain smaller amounts of myofibroblasts (cells responsible for wound contraction), compared to scalpel wounds.⁹ Secondary intention healing and lack of scarring are especially important for treating lesions located in esthetic/visible zones.

Reduced Post-Operative Pain and Discomfort

It is important to avoid charring or causing excessive thermal damage to soft tissue. The experienced CO₂ laser surgeon using the proper laser settings and hand speed will have small (sub 50 microns thick) zones of thermal necrosis.^5,9 Patients report less post-operative pain and discomfort with laser surgery.⁹ The healing process associated with CO₂ laser surgery is enhanced and less painful than with cryosurgery or electrosurgery.⁹

Summary

The many uses for a soft tissue CO₂ laser in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics, such as gingivectomies, frenectomies, exposure of impacted teeth, and others, feature minimal blood loss and reduced discomfort for the patients. In comparison with other dental laser wavelengths (circa 1,000 nm for diode and Nd:YAG lasers and circa 3,000 nm for erbium lasers), the CO₂ laser wavelength exhibits the least absorption rate by the stainless steel orthodontia hardware, and the optimum coagulation depth closely matching gingival blood vessel diameters. The CO₂ laser ablation depth can be controlled to a few tenths of a millimeter, which characterizes this wavelength as a safe and gentle soft tissue removal tool, while the sub-100 micrometer coagulation depth (significantly better than hot glass diodes)^2,5 allows for enhanced, scar-free healing of highly vascular oral tissues secondary intention.^5,9 The accuracy and precision of CO₂ laser surgery are increased by the visibility of the surgical field not being obscured by bleeding.