Case series: laser treatments for soft tissue problems in children.

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.

CASE REPORTS: A case series of 7 children aged 6 to 14 years old were treated for various soft tissue problems including crown lengthening, exposure of an unerupted molar, lingual and maxillary fraenectomies, gingivectomy, excision of a pyogenic granuloma and for a pulpotomy.

TREATMENTS: All children were treated using a Er,Cr:YSGG laser for removal of appropriate soft tissues. FOLLOWUP: All cases healed satisfactorily and were followed up for 3 to 4 years.

CONCLUSION

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