Review: laser soft tissue treatments for paediatric dental patients.

BACKGROUND

Many soft tissue pathologies in children can be treated by paediatric dentists. New technologies such as laser surgery enable simpler treatments to be carried out than with conventional techniques.

REVIEW

This paper reviews soft tissue lasers and discusses their use in paediatric patients. The laser is a good tool for soft tissue management in children and is well accepted by patients and their relatives. Laser treatment involves a reduction in the use of medication (anaesthetics, analgesics and antibiotics) and in intra-operative and post-operative bleeding. It eliminates the need sutures and produces faster wound healing and less scarring.

CONCLUSION

It is essential to have a good knowledge of laser operation and of which type of laser is most appropriate for each lesion.