ELECTROSURGERY IN DENTAL PRACTICE-A CASE REPORT

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Journal of the Korean Academy of Pediatric Dentistry 1996;23(3):631-639.
Published online August 31, 1996.

ELECTROSURGERY IN DENTAL PRACTICE-A CASE REPORT

Electrosurgery를 이용한 치료증례

윤재웅, 이상훈, 이광수, 한세현

서울대학교 치과대학 소아치과학교실

Abstract

Electrosurgical technique have been used in dentistry as an aid to soft tissue management for nearly 60 years. However, it was not until the late 1960s that the principles of electrosurgery were understood and improved equipment became available. Electrosurgery is a surgical procedure performed on soft tissue utilizing controlled high frequency electricaI(radio-frequency) currents in the range of 1,500,000 to 7,500,000 cyclesper second. The radio-frequency energy used in electrosurgery is able to cut and coagulate tissue because it focuses the energy at the small, active electrode. Advantages of electrosurgery for soft-tissue management during dental procedures include improved hemostasis, ease of tissue modification, improved visibility and so on, but adverse healing responses-including necrosis of soft tissue and sequestration of alveolar bone-have been reported. The present report provides examples of treatment of soft tissue and pulp tissue of primary teeth by electrosurgery. The results are as follows; 1. Electrosurgical techniques can be used for various procedures in pedodontics. 2. Electrosurgical procedures provide improved hemostasis and visibility in the operating field, which enable to remove, reshape, and contour soft tissues easily. 3. In pulpotomy technique, it was difficult to expect the variable pulpal response based on the degree of heat accumulation and the conditions of pulp tissues. Therefore, electrosurgical pulpotomy could not be considered as a method superior to formocresol pulpotomy. 4. A greater degree of dexterity and experiences in manipulation of the electrode is required compared with the conventional scalpel surgery.