What is the primary use of photothermal interactions in laser therapy?

The primary use of photothermal interactions in laser therapy is cutting and coagulation of soft tissues. Photothermal interactions occur when laser light is absorbed by tissue, leading to localized heating. This heating effect induces thermal changes that can effectively cut or coagulate tissues during surgical procedures.

In this context, the precision of lasers allows for focused energy delivery, minimizing damage to surrounding tissues. This approach is particularly valuable in various medical and aesthetic applications where traditional surgical techniques might lead to more collateral damage or longer recovery times.

Other options, while related to the medical field, do not focus directly on the cutting and coagulation effects of lasers. Diagnosing carious lesions involves different optical properties rather than photothermal interactions. Promoting rapid healing is more related to the biological response following laser therapy. Enabling chemical reactions typically pertains to non-thermal laser interactions, which do not utilize the photothermal effect that is central to surgical applications.