Use of the laser in the oral cavity

Abstract

Laser surgery is now commonly performed for lesions arising in the oral cavity. The laser provides certain advantages relating to the precision of tissue destruction and some hemostatic capabilities. However, it is the author's impression that it provides no special healing or cancer-killing advantages. It can be used for a wide variety of surgical procedures involving benign lesions. Its use for resection of oral cavity malignancies is restricted to verrucous cancers and smaller cancers. When the proper techniques are used to protect both the patient and the surgeon and other operating room personnel, it can be a safely performed surgical adjunct that has certain advantages over standard surgical approaches.