Lesson 1Parameter selection and settings: continuous vs pulsed mode, suggested power ranges for excision, duty cycle, tip activation and calibrationThis part guides diode laser settings, comparing steady and pulsed modes, safe power levels, on-off timing, and ways to start tips, check calibration, and test for clean cuts with low heat harm.
Continuous versus pulsed mode indicationsRecommended power ranges for excisionDuty cycle effects on tissue interactionFiber tip initiation and maintenanceCalibration, test firing, and safety checksLesson 2Comparison to scalpel excision: bleeding control, operative time, postop pain, healing quality, and histologic artifact implicationsThis part compares diode laser cuts to knife surgery on bleeding control, time taken, after pain, healing standard, and tissue changes that might affect lab checks and reports.
Bleeding control and field visibilityOperative time and efficiencyPostoperative pain and analgesic needsHealing patterns and scar formationHistologic artifact and margin assessmentLesson 3Risks, complications and mitigation: delayed healing, thermal necrosis, scarring, nerve damage and their preventionThis part reviews risks like slow healing, heat death, scars, nerve harm, and infections in diode soft tissue work, with prevention tips, early signs, and proven handling steps.
Mechanisms of thermal tissue damageRecognizing delayed healing patternsPreventing and managing scarringAvoiding and managing nerve injuryInfection control and wound careLesson 4Specimen handling and when to send for histopathology after laser excisionThis part shows tissue sample care after diode cuts, reducing heat changes, fixing methods, labelling, forms, and rules for lab checks always.
When to submit tissue for histologyMinimizing laser-induced artifactFixation, containers, and labelingCompleting pathology request formsCommunicating findings to patientsLesson 5Laser selection rationale: why diode (810–980 nm) for soft tissue excision — absorption by hemoglobin and melanin, hemostasis benefitsThis part explains picking diode lasers 810–980 nm for soft tissue removal due to blood and colour pigment uptake, bleed stopping, less blood, and choosing among diode machines.
Optical absorption in hemoglobin and melaninHemostatic advantages over scalpelClinical indications favoring diode useSelecting wavelength and fiber sizeLimitations compared with other lasersLesson 6Patient assessment: medical history, medications (anticoagulants, photosensitizers), lesion evaluation and differential diagnosisThis part details full pre-checks, health history, blood thinner and light-sensitive drugs review, sore spot checks, possible causes, and notes to justify laser use or refer.
Targeted medical and dental historyReviewing anticoagulants and photosensitizersExtraoral and intraoral lesion mappingFormulating a differential diagnosisCriteria for referral before surgeryLesson 7Preoperative preparation and informed consent specifics for laser soft tissue proceduresThis part covers pre-setup like patient teaching, laser consent details, before photos, cleaning, and laser safety checks plus emergency prep in the treatment room.
Explaining laser benefits and limitationsDocumenting laser-specific consent itemsPreoperative photography and chartingOral rinses and field antisepsisVerifying laser safety and eyewearLesson 8Indications and case selection: benign mucosal lesions suitable for diode excision and contra-indicated lesions requiring biopsy or referralThis part helps pick cases for diode removal, listing safe mouth sores, warning signs needing samples or referral, and notes for sound choices.
Benign lesions suitable for diode excisionLesion features requiring urgent referralWhen incisional biopsy is preferredPhotographic and chart documentationCommunicating options and limitationsLesson 9Immediate postoperative management: wound care, analgesia, topical agents, follow-up scheduleThis part explains aftercare post diode surgery like wound cleaning, pain relief plans, creams, diet tips, and check-up times for smooth healing and comfort.
Postoperative wound hygiene instructionsSystemic and local analgesia protocolsUse of topical gels, rinses, and dressingsDiet, activity, and oral habit restrictionsFollow-up visit timing and documentationLesson 10Anesthesia planning: local anesthetic choices and techniques, epinephrine considerations, managing patients on anticoagulantsThis part reviews numbing plans for diode soft tissue work, numbing types, adrenaline for bleed control, shots methods, and checks for blood thinner patients.
Selecting local anesthetic agentsEpinephrine benefits and contraindicationsInfiltration and nerve block techniquesAssessing anticoagulant and antiplatelet riskCoordinating with physicians when neededLesson 11Step-by-step operative technique: tissue marking, incision/excision technique with contact fiber, lateral sweeping, depth control, hemostatic strategiesThis part gives step-by-step diode removal guide, marking spots, fiber hold, cutting sweeps, depth and edge control, bleed stops, and in-procedure tweaks for safety.
Preoperative marking and isolationFiber angulation and contact techniqueIncision patterns and sweeping motionDepth control and margin managementIntraoperative hemostatic strategies
