Which parameter is modified to increase treatment depth in Class IV lasers?

Increasing the power output in Class IV lasers is crucial for enhancing treatment depth. This is because higher power levels allow for greater penetration of the laser energy into the tissues. When the output power is increased, more energy is delivered to the target area, facilitating more effective stimulation of cellular processes such as healing and pain relief.

In the context of laser therapy, penetrating deeper into the tissues is essential for addressing various conditions that may not respond to less powerful modalities. Increased intensity can also improve the overall efficacy of the treatment, helping to achieve better therapeutic outcomes for patients.

The other options do not effectively contribute to increased treatment depth in the same way that adjusting power output does. For instance, decreasing the frequency of the laser does not enhance depth, as frequency primarily affects the wavelength and absorption characteristics of the light. Changing the color of the laser light may influence absorption rates based on the chromophores present in the tissue but does not necessarily deepen penetration. Lastly, reducing the treatment area size could limit the effectiveness by reducing the total energy delivered to a larger affected area rather than increasing depth.