Histological artifacts associated with laser and electroscalpel gingivectomy: Case series

Area of Science:

• Oral surgery
• Biomaterials science
• Laser dentistry

Context:

• The scalpel, a traditional surgical tool, has limitations in modern surgery.
• Advancements include electric scalpels and laser devices, offering alternative cutting methods.
• Tissue response varies based on the physical and biological principles of each instrument.

Purpose:

• To compare histological changes in gingival tissue after surgical cutting.
• Evaluation of a 940 nm diode laser, a 2780 nm Er,Cr:YSGG laser, and an electric scalpel.
• Presentation of a case series to illustrate these comparisons.

Summary:

• Histological analysis of gingival samples revealed thermal effects from all cutting instruments, including collagen coagulation and carbonization.
• The 2780 nm Er,Cr:YSGG laser demonstrated significantly less depth of thermal damage compared to the electric scalpel and 940 nm diode laser.
• All tested instruments induced thermal effects, with varying degrees of tissue damage.

Impact:

• Provides insights into the comparative tissue response of different surgical cutting modalities.
• Informs the selection of appropriate laser or electric devices for gingival cosmetic surgery.
• Highlights the potential benefits of specific laser wavelengths in minimizing thermal damage during oral procedures.