Laser-Mediated Hemostasis for Older Patients Receiving Routine Dental Treatment

Area of Science:

• Dental Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Geriatric Medicine

Background:

• Laser therapy is increasingly used in dentistry for hemostasis and clot formation.
• Older patients are at higher risk of postoperative bleeding during dental treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical efficacy of laser-mediated hemostasis in older patients undergoing routine dental procedures.
• To compare different laser techniques for achieving hemostasis.

Main Methods:

• Prospective observational study involving 60 patients aged 50+.
• Utilized 810 nm and dual-wavelength (635 nm/980 nm) diode lasers for hemostasis.
• Assessed hemostasis time, with a clinical cut-off of 5 minutes.

Main Results:

• Laser therapy significantly reduced bleeding duration, with 61.43% achieving hemostasis within 5 minutes.
• Combined laser ablation and photobiomodulation preferred for extraction sockets; photobiomodulation alone for soft tissue.
• Full recovery of extraction sockets observed within 2-4 weeks; no complications reported.

Conclusions:

• Laser-mediated hemostasis is effective in reducing bleeding time and preventing postoperative bleeding in older dental patients.
• Laser therapy promotes wound healing and is a safe option for this population.
• Specific laser techniques show varying efficacy depending on the dental procedure.