For soft tissue procedures, what setting is preferred when using erbium lasers?

For soft tissue procedures, using erbium lasers with longer pulse durations and less water spray allows for better tissue absorption and minimizes collateral damage. Erbium lasers are particularly effective due to their wavelength, which is well-absorbed by water and soft tissue. Longer pulse durations enable the laser energy to be delivered in a more gradual manner, allowing the tissue time to absorb the energy effectively and preventing overheating or excessive vaporization of the tissue.

In contrast, using shorter pulse durations and more water spray might lead to insufficient energy delivery for effective soft tissue modification, as the increased cooling effect of the water could hinder the laser's effectiveness. Additionally, equal settings to hard tissue procedures may not be suitable for soft tissues, as these settings are typically tailored for bone, which has different absorption characteristics. Higher energy settings alone can also lead to tissue charring or damage, making the controlled approach of longer pulse durations preferable for precise and safe soft tissue operations.