Er,Cr:YSGG 2780 nm Laser Treatment of Lip Melanin Hyperpigmentation.

BACKGROUND: In the current research, Er,Cr:YSGG laser been used in ablative mode to peel the pigmentation, and many sessions were done to completely remove the melanin pigmentations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 85 patients were selected and Er,Cr : YSGG laser with 2780 nm wavelength in ablative mode (iPlus, Biolase, USA) was used to treat patients with dark lip melanin pigmentation, using gold handpiece and MZ 10 tip (diameter of 1 mm), and the parameters were set as follows: energy density 28.7 J/cm2, frequency 30 Hz, water cooling 100%, and air cooling 60%. RESULTS: The vast majority of the patients (82.4%) had mild adverse effects after the lip depigmentation and 74.1% of patients reported complete improvement of the lip with a high satisfaction rate (84.7%) during the follow-up period with a low level of relapse. CONCLUSION: Er,Cr:YSGG 2670 nm is an effective tool to achieve excellent esthetic results in the treatment of lip melanin pigmentation; it is very well tolerated by patients with minimal adverse effects.

Laser Treatment for Melanin Gingival Pigmentations: A Comparison Study for 3 Laser Wavelengths 2780, 940, and 445 nm.

The normal appearance of the gingiva is pink to light red, and this appearance may change due to many factors and might be noticeable causing aesthetic concerns. In the Gulf area, the gingival melanin pigmentation is of the main type of concern, and patients expect the pigmentation to be removed for aesthetic reasons. Many techniques have been used to remove the melanin pigmentation such as using surgical blades, diamond or ceramic burs, chemicals, and lasers. This study is comparing the results of three lasers (Er, Cr, YSGG 2780 nm, Diode 940 nm, and 445 nm) in the removal of melanin gingival depigmentation. Clinical outcome parameters including bleeding, wound healing, pain, duration of procedure, color improvement, patient satisfaction, and relapse rate after 2 years were assessed. Conclusion. Within the limitation of this study, all three wavelengths were fast, effective in peeling the pigmentations and well tolerated by the patients. The esthetical results were excellent, and the patients were highly satisfied. Suggestion. To have a bigger number of samples in future papers, and histological studies might be included to explore the different impacts of each wavelength on the gingival melanin pigmentation specifically and on the gingival tissue generally.

Early colonization of the oral cavity in 6- and 12-month-old infants by cariogenic and periodontal pathogens: a case-control study.

The colonization of the oral cavity by cariogenic and periodontal pathogens occurs earlier than previously thought. This study aimed to identify the presence and quantity of representative cariogenic and periodontal pathogens in the oral cavities of 6- and 12-month olds and to evaluate the influence of C-section delivery on early Streptococcus mutans (Sm) colonization of the oral cavity. The research cohort was composed of 59 infants (35 infants were delivered vaginally and 24 via C-section) and their mothers. At 6 months of age, the infants were examined, and unstimulated saliva samples were collected. Variables concerning mothers were DMF index and salivary levels of Sm. Repeated saliva samples were taken 6 months later. The representative cariogenic and periodontal microorganisms were identified, and their quantities were measured using a polymerase chain reaction-based method. The relationships between the presence of detected microbes, the mode of delivery, and maternal variables were evaluated using paired t tests, chi-squared test, and ANOVAs. High rates of cariogenic bacteria, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) and Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn), were found in both infant cohorts. An analysis of the differences between delivery methods revealed that the group of 6-month-old vaginally delivered infants had a significantly higher amount of Sm. We conclude that the cariogenic bacteria, Aa and Fn, are present in edentulous infants. This presence increases in the months following the eruption of the deciduous teeth. Results did not confirm the influence of C-section delivery on the early Sm colonization of the oral cavity.

Use of Er,Cr:YSGG versus standard lasers in laser assisted uvulopalatoplasty for treatment of snoring.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the Er,Cr:YSGG (Waterlase) laser with KTP and CO2 lasers in laser assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) for treatment of snoring. STUDY DESIGN: This is a prospective study of 63 patients who were treated for snoring by LAUP either with Er,Cr:YSGG (n = 21) or with KTP (n = 21) or CO2 lasers (n = 21). Histologic analysis was performed, and the effects of KTP and Waterlase on soft tissue were compared. METHODS: Patients were examined by an ENT surgeon and tested with polysomnography. Probands who suffered from obstructive sleep apnea or had an apnea-hypopnea index of 15 or greater were excluded from the study. The remaining patients were assigned to either Er,Cr:YSGG, KTP, or CO2 laser therapy. The three lasers were compared from a postoperative recovery point of view by immunohistochemical examination. RESULTS: Pain medications were used on average for 4.1, 6.5, and 10.1 days, and the times to return to normal diet were on average 4.5, 6.8, and 8.6 days in the Er,Cr:YSGG, KTP, and CO2 groups, respectively. Two cases of bleeding were observed in the CO2 group. Foreign body sensation occurred in 14%, 19%, and 19% of subjects in the Er,Cr:YSGG, KTP, and CO2 groups, respectively. Velopharyngeal insufficiency was noticed in one KTP treated patient; however, it was transient. Snoring and apnea-hypopnea index was significantly reduced in all groups. Significantly larger coagulation of soft tissue was found in the KTP group than in the Waterlase group. CONCLUSIONS: Patients treated with Waterlase recovered more quickly in comparison with patients in the KTP and CO2 groups, which was confirmed by immunohistochemical findings. The laser techniques did not differ in effectiveness.