Comparative study of upper lip frenectomy with the CO2 laser versus the Er, Cr:YSGG laser

Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2012 Mar 1;17(2):e228-32. doi: 10.4317/medoral.17373.

Abstract

Objectives: To compare upper lip frenulum reinsertion, bleeding, surgical time and surgical wound healing in frenectomies performed with the CO2 laser versus the Er, Cr:YSGG laser.

Study design: A prospective study was carried out on 50 randomized pediatric patients who underwent rhomboidal resection of the upper lip frenulum with either the CO2 laser or the Er,Cr:YSGG laser. Twenty-five patients were assigned to each laser system. All patients were examined at 7, 14, 21 days and 4 months after the operation in order to assess the surgical wound healing.

Results: Insertion of the frenulum, which was preoperatively located between the upper central incisors, migrated to the mucogingival junction as a result of using both laser systems in all patients. Only two patients required a single dose of 650 mg of paracetamol, one of either study group. CO2 laser registered improved intraoperative bleeding control results and shorter surgical times. On the other hand, the Er,Cr:YSGG laser achieved faster healing.

Conclusions: Upper lip laser frenectomy is a simple technique that results in minimum or no postoperative swelling or pain, and which involves upper lip frenulum reinsertion at the mucogingival junction. The CO2 laser offers a bloodless field and shorter surgical times compared with the Er,Cr:YSGG laser. On the other hand, the Er,Cr:YSGG laser achieved faster wound healing.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Labial Frenum / surgery*
  • Laser Therapy*
  • Lasers, Gas / therapeutic use*
  • Lasers, Solid-State / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Prospective Studies