Removal of fibrous epulis with Er,Cr:YSGG laser: case report

Epulis is a benign tumour located in the area of the alveolar bone, periodontal ligament and marginal gingiva. A clinical case of Epulis, treated using an Er,Cr:YSGG laser in our Paediatric Dentistry division of the PTV Hospital, University of Rome Tor Vergata, is described.

A pink, sessile, broad-based lesion, elastic in consistency, was detected on the maxillary vestibular gum above the lateral right incisor. The lesion was removed with Er,Cr:YSGG laser (2780 nm) without anaesthetic infiltration, power ranged from 1,5 to 2,0 Watts at 20 Hz repetition rate under 20%-15% air-water spray. The histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of fibrous epulis. The immediate postoperative course was excellent, with no pain or need for anti-inflammatory or analgesic drugs. Wound healing was good after 1 week, and was completed after 1 month. The patient was followed up for 3-6 months, and checked again after 1 and 2 years to assess possible relapse. The Er,Cr:YSGG laser has several treatment advantages, fundamental in Paediatric Dentistry: it requires only topical anaesthesia, it has a high clinical safety, there is a short treatment time, no surgical sutures are required; no complications were encountered during or immediately following laser surgery, all resulting in excellent patient cooperation.