Application of Diode Laser at Low-Power in Excisional Operculectomy Procedure

In recent years, dentistry has witnessed significant advancements in the utilization of laser technology. Laser procedures offer advantages such as swifter treatment, enhanced precision, sterility, minimal bleeding, and improved patient acceptance. The pericoronal flap or gingival operculum, when inflamed and infected leads to pericoronitis causing discomfort and sometimes severe pain while eating food. Operculectomy procedure is performed to excise this tissue. Laser-operated operculectomies boast excellent hemostatic properties and inflict minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissue. The following case series describes operculectomy procedure done in two cases using Diode laser (940 nm) at power 0.7W in continuous mode which resulted in reduced use of anesthesia, patient discomfort, postoperative pain (as recorded on VAS scale), and satisfactory post operative healing. Key Words: Diode laser, Pericoronitits, Pericoronal flap, Operculectomy