[HF surgery vs. laser surgery. Experimental study of use in periodontology]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the suitability of CO2 laser and two different electronically controlled electrosurgical units in periodontal surgery; both of the electrosurgical generators were recently designed for application in medicine. The study was performed on freshly butchered pig jaws. In addition to the management of the devices, the macroscopic and histologic effects of laser and high frequency energy on palatal gums, alveolar bone, tooth structures and filling materials were investigated. The handling of the electrosurgical units was efficient and smooth, the incisions showed accurate and reproducible results. In contrast to this the laser was uncomfortable to work with, additional safety arrangements were required and lesions in teeth and alveolar bone occurred easily. While the electronically controlled electrosurgical generators offer interesting aspects in some indications, CO2 laser seems to be unsuitable for periodontal surgery.