The use of the CO 2 laser in oral surgery in the military.

From 1987 to 1990, there were 122 soldiers treated with the CO 2 laser (Sharplan 1010) in the Laser Center of the Israel Defense Forces. A variety of benign oral lesions, vascular tumors, and other oral lesions were excised or vaporized. Twenty-four soldiers with impacted wisdom teeth and wide pericoronitis underwent operculectomy using the CO 2 laser. The CO 2 laser has the ability to perform accurate hemostasis surgery, with minimal postoperative pain and edema, and rapid healing, resulting in fast recovery without significant discomfort. These advantages are particularly important in the military since soldiers can return to their duties immediately after surgery.