What is the primary medical application of CO2 lasers?

The primary medical application of CO2 lasers is hemostasis, which refers to the process of stopping bleeding. CO2 lasers are particularly effective in cutting and vaporizing tissue while simultaneously coagulating blood vessels. This capability makes them highly valuable in surgical procedures where controlling bleeding is essential.

When using CO2 lasers, the focused beam can interact with the tissue at a cellular level, leading to precise cuts and minimal thermal damage to surrounding areas. This precise action is critical in surgeries, especially in areas with a rich blood supply, as it helps manage bleeding effectively. Additionally, the hemostatic properties of CO2 lasers allow for a cleaner surgical field, reducing complications and improving the overall outcome of procedures.

The other options do not represent the primary medical application of CO2 lasers. While lasers might have roles in bone regeneration or other dental procedures like tooth whitening, those applications are not as central to the use of CO2 lasers in a medical context as their role in achieving hemostasis.