Are CO2 lasers primarily used for hard or soft tissue procedures?

CO2 lasers are primarily used for soft tissue procedures due to their ability to efficiently vaporize and cut soft biological materials with precision. The wavelength of CO2 lasers is well absorbed by water, which is abundant in soft tissues, making them effective for surgical applications such as incising and excising soft tissue, performing dermatological procedures, and in oral and maxillofacial surgeries.

Their use in soft tissue procedures is favored because the heat generated minimizes damage to surrounding areas, allowing for better precision and control during surgery. The laser's properties also facilitate hemostasis, reducing bleeding and promoting quicker recovery times.

While CO2 lasers can be adapted for some hard tissue applications, such as dental procedures, their primary designation and effectiveness lie within soft tissue manipulation, confirming why the choice associating them specifically with soft tissue is the most accurate.