Do the advantages of laser over electrosurgery for cutting soft tissue warrant purchase of an expensive laser?
A The question you asked has been argued for at least two decades, and the argument still rages. Cutting soft tissue with electrosurgery has been practiced for nearly 100 years. The concept was developed by Bovie at Harvard from 1914-1927. Electrosurgery techniques are well-known and successful. Although electrosurgery is not taught in some dental schools, most dentists have electrosurgery devices and they use them on a daily basis. On the other hand, the laser is a relatively new concept, used by approximately 10 percent of U.S. dentists. Laser use is growing in dentistry, and the diode laser is the most popular type. Figure 1Click here to enlarge image The advantages of electrosurgery are well known (Figure 1). They are: • Electrosurgery cutting is easy and fast. • When adjusted properly, electrosurgery cutting is consistent and predictable. • Electrosurgery electrodes may be bent to meet the surgical need. • The electrodes cut on their sides as well as on the end. • Hemostasis is pr
