## 3 Results
### OCT Analysis  
#### 3.3.1 Apically Positioned Flap  
Three observation areas were selected and monitored: the area of the vertical incision, the open wound area above the sutured line after the APF, and the junction area of the flap after the APF procedure (Figure 7). In OCT images, periodontal structures were clearly depicted. The oral epithelium emerged darker than the underlying connective tissue owing to lower scattering and signal intensity. The connective tissue is characterized by its brighter structure and high signal intensity. Similarly, the alveolar bone appeared darker owing to its lower signal intensity. \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c c c c c c c} \hline \hline \multirow{2}{*}{**Day**} & \multirow{2}{*}{**Treatment**} & \multirow{2}{*}{**Mean**} & \multirow{2}{*}{**SD**} & \multicolumn{3}{c}{**95\% Confidence**} & \multirow{2}{*}{**Minimum**} & \multirow{2}{*}{**Maximum**} & \multirow{2}{*}{**t**} & \multirow{2}{*}{\(\boldsymbol{p}^{\ \dagger}\)} & \multirow{2}{*}{\(\boldsymbol{p}^{\ \dagger}\)} \\ \cline{5-10}  & & & & **Lower** & & & **Upper** & & & \\ \hline \multirow{2}{*}{D1} & Laser & 2.08 & 0.28 & 1.8999 & 2.2667 & **2** & **3** & \multirow{2}{*}{\(-\)0.432} & 0.674 \\ \cline{2-10}  & Punch & 2.16 & 0.57 & 1.7998 & 2.5335 & 1 & 3 & & \\ \hline \multirow{2}{*}{D2} & Laser & 2.58 & 0.66 & 2.1586 & 3.0081 & 2 & 4 & \multirow{2}{*}{\(-\)0.321} & 0.754 \\ \cline{2-10}  & Punch & 2.66 & 0.88 & 2.1027 & 3.2306 & 1 & 4 & & \\ \hline \multirow{2}{*}{D3} & Laser & 2.83 & 0.57 & 2.4665 & 3.2002 & 2 & 4 & & 0.006 * \\ \cline{2-10}  & Punch & 3.33 & 0.65 & 2.9195 & 3.7472 & 2 & 4 & & \\ \hline \multirow{2}{*}{D7} & Laser & 3.25 & 0.45 & 2.9626 & 3.5374 & 3 & 4 & & \\ \cline{2-10}  & Punch & 4.58 & 0.51 & 4.2562 & 4.9105 & 4 & 5 & & \\ \hline \multirow{2}{*}{D14} & Laser & 3.7 & 0.48 & 3.3544 & 4.0456 & 3 & 4 & & \\ \cline{2-10}  & Punch & 5 & 0 & 5 & 5 & 5 & 5 & & \\ \hline \multirow{2}{*}{\(p^{\ \dagger\dagger}\)\(\dagger\)} & Laser & \multicolumn{6}{c}{\textless{}0.001 *} & \multirow{2}{*}{\(\boldsymbol{\ }\)} \\ \cline{2-10}  & Punch & & & & & & & & \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}  
* Significant difference between two treatment methods determined by a paired \(t\)-test, \(p<0.05\). \(\dagger\) Indicates statistical significance using a paired \(t\)-test to compare the two treatment methods on specific days. \(\dagger\)\(\dagger\) Indicates statistical significance using repeated measures ANOVA to evaluate the overall effect of the two treatment methods across the entire period. \(\dagger\)\(\dagger\)\(\dagger\) Indicates statistical significance using repeated measures ANOVA to analyze changes over time within each treatment method.  
\end{table} 
Table 2: Comparison of early wound healing scores between two treatment methods for tongue ulcer operation. Figure 7: Components of OCT analysis include (1) the area of the vertical incision, (2) the area of the open wound above the sutured line (red arrows) after the apically positioned flap (yellow arrows), and (3) the area of the flap junction after the apically positioned flap (blue arrows). Laser  
On days 0 and 1 after surgery, inflammatory tissues were observed. These tissues could be distinguished by the absence of the normal internal structures found in healthy gingival tissue. By days 2 and 3, the gingival tissue began to recover, showing the formation of normal tissue structures and regaining its thickness. By day 7, mild inflammation tissues were observed. By day 14, the gingival tissue showed almost complete recovery (Figure 8). Scalpel  
On days 0 and 1, inflammatory tissues were present; however, the original structure showed minimal abnormalities. By days 2 and 3, gingival recovery was progressing rapidly. By days 7 and 14, the healing of the gingival tissue was comparable to that of the laser-treated models (Figure 9). Figure 8: (**A**) OCT image on day 1 after apically positioned flap with laser. Inflammatory tissues were dominant at the gingival level below the teeth (white arrows).