Importance of the Right Protocol in Using a Diode Laser (980 nm) for Small Oral Vascular Malformation Treatment

Small vascular anomalies are commonly present on the lips and other areas of the oral mucosa. These lesions are also known as venous lake lesions, and they can be treated in many ways with surgical and non-surgical methods. Laser is an arising technique for this type of procedure and its use has been growing in dental practices in the last years. The technique that uses the diode laser delivers the energy in a non-contact treatment, leading to the coagulation of the lesion in a minimally invasive manner, and for this reason, there is less chance of developing scar formation. In this report, a 56-year-old female patient had a vascular lesion on her lower lip measuring about 3.0 mm in diameter. The patient reported having it for more than 10 years. A first approach using a high-power diode laser had already been done but with no success. At this time, the diode laser was used under local anesthesia, with a flexible quartz fiber held 2 to 3 mm from the lesion, using the continuous wave mode set, 1.0 W of power for 10 seconds, with an interval of 30 seconds to prevent heat damage to the adjacent tissue. The laser was applied until the lesion appeared white and with evidence of shrinkage. In this case, two rounds of irradiation were done. After a 30-day follow-up, the lesion was repaired with no signs of scars on the lip. The diode laser is an effective technique for treating this type of lesion, with many advantages, such as providing coagulation, excellent healing, no postoperative complication, and no need for suturing. Besides all, it is also a low-cost procedure, small lesions usually require only one appointment, and this treatment is also better accepted by the patients.