Treatment of ankyloglossia with carbon dioxide [CO[2]] laser in a pediatric patient

ABSTRACT

Laser surgery as an alternative for conventional surgical procedure has gained special attention. Using Carbon Dioxide [CO[2]] laser has some benefits like less post-operative pain, swelling and infection, decrease in risk of metastasis and edema, and less bleeding providing dry sites for surgery. A 12 years old boy with lingual frenum with indication for excision was referred to the laser department of Tehran University of medical sciences dental school. CO[2] laser was used with 10600 nm wavelength, 1.5 W output power, 100 Hz frequency and 400 micro sec pulse duration in non-contact mode. The result of using CO[2] laser was dry and bloodless field during operation, no post operative swelling, no pain or discomfort, with normal healing process. We suggest and stimulate the use of CO[2] laser for soft tissue surgery because of elimination of suture, convenient coagulation, time saving, patients' comfort and easy manipulation