Purpose: To clinically evaluate the effectiveness of CO2 laser in oral leukoplakia cases. Materials and Methods: Twenty-two cases of oral leukoplakia, both clinically and histologically diagnosed in 14 patients, were successfully treated with CO2 laser with focus probe, in continuous operating mode at 5 to 8 W. Oral smears were obtained throughout the follow-up to determine whether there was any dysplastic alteration. Results: The healing was ensured by secondary epithelialization. The treated areas appeared normal within 3 to 5 weeks after performing one-step laser surgery. The follow-up period has been continuing for 5 years. To date, recurrence has been seen in one patient. No patient showed any sign of dysplasia or neoplasia during the follow-up. Conclusion: Since CO2 laser penetration into tissue provides the best results when treating superficial lesions, the CO2 laser appears to have an important place in the effective management of leukoplakia.

Keywords: CO2 laser, oral leukoplakia