Lasers in contemporary oral and maxillofacial surgery.

The practice of oral and maxillofacial surgery has included the use of lasers since the 1960s. Over the past few decades, the use of lasers among oral and maxillofacial surgeons has grown dramatically. Their evolution within the specialty not only has enhanced current surgical options for treatment, but also contributed to a variety of new procedures that are now commonplace in oral and maxillofacial surgery. The management of patients with sleep apnea, temporomandibular joint derangements, dental implants, premalignant lesions, and posttraumatic facial scarring has improved significantly with the advent of laser surgery. As the number of laser systems grows and their technology becomes more advanced, a thorough understanding regarding the principles of their use is paramount to providing safe and effective patient care.