Sub-50 Micrometer Thermal Damage Zone Thickness Achieved with Flexible Fiber CO₂ Laser

An article by P. Wilder-Smith et al. entitled “Incision Properties and Thermal Effects of Three CO₂ Lasers in Soft Tissue” reports sub-50 micrometer thermal damage zone thickness achieved with 0.25 mm spot size laser tip used with flexible fiber waveguide CO₂ Dental Laser (Luxar Corp). The flexible fiber waveguide delivery system is critical for achieving flat-top laser beam profile and associated with its unique tissue incision properties. This article illustrates the superiority of waveguide CO₂ lasers over articulated arm CO₂ lasers.