[Effect of the soft laser on gingival connective tissue. II--Effect on wound healing. Optical microscopy,...

The effect of soft-laser upon cicatrization of the gum was studied in 14 patients. After the initial biopsy, control biopsies were performed on the same patients in non-irradiated gums. In the absence of inflammation, cicatrization took place in a similar manner in the irradiated and control tissues. After an early vascular growth, connective cylinders occurred, accompanied by an increase of enzymatic activity) (oxidative enzymes, leucine aminopeptidase, alkaline phosphatase). Then, the scar was formed of longitudinal bundles. The laser induced an earlier cicatrization (14th day) than in the controls (21st day). The presence of inflammation in the gum delayed cicatrization and often promoted cheloid scars with abnormal anastomosing connective bundles. In this case also, irradiation by soft-laser was followed by a quicker and better cicatrization.