What is a significant advantage of lasers over electrosurgery in soft tissue effects?

The significant advantage of lasers over electrosurgery in terms of soft tissue effects lies in their ability to both ablate tissue and exert a photobiomodulation effect. Ablation refers to the precise removal or destruction of tissue, which lasers can achieve with high specificity, minimizing damage to surrounding areas. This precision is crucial for delicate procedures and contributes to quicker healing times and reduced scarring.

Additionally, the photobiomodulation effect refers to the ability of lasers to promote biological processes that can enhance tissue healing and reduce inflammation. This capability is not a characteristic of traditional electrosurgery techniques, which primarily focus on cutting and coagulation without the added benefits of stimulating cellular processes. Therefore, the combined effects of ablation and photobiomodulation make lasers a versatile tool in soft tissue procedures, offering advantages that improve patient outcomes compared to electrosurgery.