Abstract
The experience with 126 laser interventions of oral leukoplakia is surveyed. The differentiated technique elaborated on by the authors ensures, besides the safe removal of the tissues involved, the greatest preservation of oral functions. In simple leukoplakia, coagulation was performed by a 5 W defocused laser beam; in verrucous cases, vaporization was done by using a 10 to 15 W focused beam; in erosive cases, excision was performed using a 20 to 25 W focused beam. Thus, it became possible to remove only the pathologic tissues. Wound healing leaves minimal scarring and the therapeutic result is favorable, from both functional (nourishment, speech, mimic) and esthetic points of view. Following one laser treatment in 118 of 126 patients, a symptom-free condition could be observed. Postoperative pain and edema are minimal; the majority of the patients are capable of resuming work by the second postoperative day. It is established that one of the most important oral surgical indications of the laser treatment is represented by the presence of leukoplakias.
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