Er:YAG Laser Promotes Gingival Wound Repair by Photo-Dissociating Water Molecules

Abstract

The dissociation of water needed to generate OH radicals is possibly due to intermolecular vibrational (V-V) energy transfer in water, competing with vibrational relaxation, thus leading to water dissociation. High amounts of oxygen radicals (e.g., hydroxyl groups) have a sterilization effect, whereas low concentrations of ROS stimulate fibroblasts, causing collagen and extracellular matrix formation. ROS formation may explain the wound healing effect of the Er-YAG laser in dentistry.