ABSTRACT
The aim of this clinical research project was to evaluate histopathologically the zone of thermal effects along the cut margin of tissue specimens with the use of CO2 laser surgery regarding laser artifacts and diagnostic biopsy.
Subject(s)
Gingival Diseases/surgery , Laser Therapy/adverse effects , Mouth Mucosa/pathology , Oral Surgical Procedures/instrumentation , Analysis of Variance , Biopsy/adverse effects , Carbon Dioxide , Gingival Diseases/diagnosis , Hot Temperature/adverse effects , Humans , Laser Coagulation , Oral Surgical Procedures/adverse effectsABSTRACT
Pain and swelling are two of the most common problems experienced by patients who have undergone surgical removal of impacted third molars. The purpose of this research project was to ascertain which of two surgical techniques was judged by patients to cause the least pain and swelling. The survey comprised 20 patients with bilaterally symmetrical impacted third molar teeth. In each patient, the third molars on one side were removed using a standard mucoperiosteal flap, while on the opposite side, a smaller access incision was used. The results of this survey show conclusively that when a small incision was used, with minimal reflection of the mucoperiosteum, the subjective evaluation of patients is that there is significantly less postoperative pain and swelling than when the larger standard incision is used.
