Arthroscopy of TMJ has become a clinically important and more and more accepted method for diagnosis and treatment of TMJ alteration. This minimal invasive method is clearly limited by the anatomical dimensions of the TMJ. A 308 nm excimer laserlight has already found clinical applications in angioplasty, ophthalmology, and dentistry. The aim of the presented study was to find out if it is possible to ablate TMJ related structures under arthroscopic conditions. It also aims to evaluate the energy-threshold for ablation and the maximal possible rate of ablation. Contrary to other laser systems it offers a unique combination of minimal tissue alteration, precise tissue ablation guidability through optical fibers, and a good transmission through water.

Date Published: 1 February 1994
PDF: 4 pages
Proc. SPIE 2077, Laser Interaction with Hard and Soft Tissue, (1 February 1994); doi: 10.1117/12.168020

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 2077:
Laser Interaction with Hard and Soft Tissue
Martin J. C. van Gemert; Rudolf W. Steiner; Lars Othar Svaasand; Hansjoerg Albrecht, Editor(s)