Aim. The aim of this presentation was to show the treatment of papillary hyperplasia in the palate with a CO2 laser. Material and methods. A 53-year old male patient, generally healthy, not taking any medications, was sent to the Periodontal Outpatient Clinic to prepare a prosthetic bed prior to the replacement of a removable denture. Physical examination revealed papillary hyperplasia of the palate mucous membrane, classified as type 3 prosthetic stomatitis by Newton. After the exclusion of candidiasis (based on mycological tests) conservative treatment was advised. Afterwards a reevaluation of the oral mucosa was performed. Due to no clinical improvement after 2 weeks of conservative treatment and the enlargement of the lesion, excision of the palate mucosa hyperplasia with a CO2 laser was suggested. Three peeling procedures of palate mucosa with a CO2 laser (3W power in continuous mode) were performed at 2-week intervals. No complications were noted in the healing process. Results. As a result of applying three peeling procedures with a CO2 laser, papillary hyperplasia of palate mucous membrane was entirely removed. This made it possible to obtain a new bed for a new prosthetic denture. Conclusions. In cases of extensive lesions on the oral cavity mucosa a treatment with laser vaporization of the hyperplastic tissues is an excellent alternative to traditional surgical therapy. Using laser therapy limits bleeding in the surgical area, reduces the risk of wound infection, accelerates the healing of the future prosthetic bed and decreases the risk of scarring.

Key words: CO2 laser, papillary hyperplasia of the palatal mucous membrane, denture stomatitis.