Review: laser soft tissue treatments for paediatric dental patients.

Background: Many soft tissue pathologies in children can be treated by paediatric dentists. New technologies such as laser surgery enable simpler treatments to be carried out than with conventional techniques.

Review: This paper reviews soft tissue lasers and discusses their use in paediatric patients. The laser is a good tool for soft tissue management in children and is well accepted by patients and their relatives. Laser treatment involves a reduction in the use of medication (anaesthetics, analgesics and antibiotics) and in intra-operative and post-operative bleeding. It eliminates the need sutures and produces faster wound healing and less scarring.

Conclusion: It is essential to have a good knowledge of laser operation and of which type of laser is most appropriate for each lesion.