Effects of Irradiation by Carbon Dioxide Laser Equipped With a Water Spray Function on Bone Formation in Rat Tibiae

Background/aim: Irradiation of tissue with carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser shows a characteristic thermal effect that causes vaporization of tissue in the target region. However, the thermal effect in places other than the target region induces tissue damage. Two methods are used: high reactive-level laser therapy (HLLT), aimed at surgical treatment, and low reactive-level laser therapy (LLLT), aimed at cell and tissue activation. In both, vaporization of tissue is induced by thermal damage. A water spray function may ameliorate thermal damage from CO₂ laser irradiation. In this study, we irradiated CO₂ laser on rat tibiae with or without a water spray function and examined the effects of this technique on bone metabolism.