The medical world of surgery is constantly progressing. Electrosurgery was introduced to operating rooms in the 1920's and is continuing to be refined.
Three methods of cutting oral soft tissue are used commonly in dentistry; scalpel, electrosurgery, and laser. Each of these methods works.
However, they are different from the standpoints of hemostasis, healing time, and cost of instruments. Electrosurgery is generally viewed as the most reliable cost effective tool for achieving both cutting of tissue as well as obtaining hemostasis.
All practitioners know of the negative characteristics associated with cutting soft tissue with a scalpel, including excessive blood flow and inadequate visibility caused by blood in the operating field. Electrosurgery can also be called "radiosurgery."
The term "radiosurgery" is more acceptable to patients, and some professionals encourage dentists to use it instead of "electrosurgery" when speaking with patients. Since 1914, this form of surgery has been used routinely in various aspects of medicine, including dentistry.
Most dentists use it successfully on a routine basis. Electrosurgery is a controlled, precise application of radio frequency electrical current to the soft-tissue site to be cut, achieved by means of carefully designed electrodes.
The result is a controlled, irreversible thermal alteration of the soft tissue. There are two basic types of this technology.
In monopolar units, the current begins with the device and travels along a wire to the oral site, then to an indifferent plate placed behind the patient's back. As the surgical electrode contacts the patient's oral soft tissues, heat is produced and controlled cutting is achieved.
Pain is also produced as the tissue is cut, necessitating the use of anesthetic. Bipolar devices have two electrodes on the ectrosurgical instrument. For bipolar instruments current flows from one electrode to the other.
The only tissue in which current flows is in the tissue between the two electrodes of the bipolar instrument. Bipolar technology eliminates the need for the indifferent plate. Both types of these units achieve their intended purposes well, but monopolar is used more often than is bipolar.
Research and observations in the area of electrosurgery suggest the following uses for it: gingivectomy, gingivoplasty, tissue management for fixed prosthodontics, increasing access for restorations and crown build-up, crown lengthening, tuberosity reduction, reduction of soft tissue in numerous areas, and even periodontal pocket reduction.
It is also used for operculectomy, frenectomy, and biopsy. There are many advantages to using this kind of procedure.
Besides being preferred by most doctors and dentists, the units cost much less than lasers do. The electrode cuts on its side as well as on its tip, and the electrode may be bent to meet the clinical need.
The cuts are also made with ease when the device is set correctly. The hemostasis is immediate, and the cutting is always consistent.
There can be some drawbacks, but the advantages far outweigh them. Research exactly how it works, and ask a professional about any questions you may have.
Anesthetic is usually required for cutting and coagulating tissues. While the name of the procedure causes fear for some patients, this can be rectified easily by an understanding doctor.
There can be a flesh burning odor, but if the patient is under anesthetic, this will not bother them. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about the use of electrosurgery in your surgical procedure.
Author Resource:-
Tommy Greene has worked in surgical equipment sales for the past 15 years. He has great advice and information on an Electrosurgery system.
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