Lasers and soft tissue treatments for the pediatric dental patient.

Historically, oral soft tissue surgery on infants and young children was completed in the operating room under a general anesthetic agent. Many children were referred to an oral surgeon and required a physician's physical examination and medical clearance for a hospital admission. potentially placed a child at risk during the use of a general anesthetic for an elective procedure, which may not have insurance benefits. Traditional methods of oral surgery using scalpels or electrosurgery may produce significant postoperative discomfort and require sutures and prolonged healing. Lasers provide a simple and safe in-office alternative for children while at the same time reducing the chances of infection, swelling, discomfort, and scaring.