Dentaltown December 2017 - 64

A wide array of applications
As I thought about integrating a laser
into my dental practice, I reflected on the
procedures I like to do and the services
I wanted to offer my patients. I ended
up purchasing a 9.3µm CO2 dental laser
because it allows me to treat a wide variety
of situations efficiently and painlessly.
Reliably treating any type of single- or
multiquadrant cavity prep without anesthesia
in a single visit was exciting for both my
team and our patients. With the laser, I've
eliminated the two instruments that most
patients fear-the needle and the drill.
We also like to use the laser to treat
most soft-tissue applications-frenectomy,
fibroma removal, gingivectomy, implant
exposure, gingival recontouring, osseous
crown lengthening, bone augmentation,
and treating peri-implantitis and aphthous
ulcers. Lasers enable me to perform such
procedures in-house with reduced postoperative discomfort and faster healing times for
patients. They really appreciate not having
to be referred out, and case acceptance
is higher.

All in a day's
work-literally
Operating a laser
CO2 lasers that cut both hard and soft
tissue don't operate like diode lasers; they
can be extremely fast, accurate and virtually
painless. A few other facts:
*
I can change the spot size of the laser
from 0.25-1.25 millimeters and
modify settings for more effective
treatments of hard or soft tissue.
*
My Solea laser utilizes a foot pedal
that allows me to operate the laser
like a high-speed handpiece, with
precision and complete control of
the laser energy and cutting speed.
*
The laser does not come in contact
with tissue; the tip hovers 8-15mm
above the tissue it's being used on.
Thus, there is no tactile sensation,
which may seem like a concern until

64

DECEMBER 2017 // dentaltown.com

the laser
has been in
your hands for
a few minutes.
It then feels more
like a paintbrush,
using brush strokes
to remove tooth
structure, reshape
gingival tissue, access
implants or remove a
frenum attachment.
I find this very cool,
because I feel more
like an artist than
a dentist when I
have the laser in
my hand.

My laser dentistry learning
curve has been
relatively
easy, allowing me to
quickly

and confidently expand my areas of expertise
and treatment.
My staff and I now design our daily
schedule with "rocks," "pebbles" and "sand."
The "rocks" represent large procedures that
need dedicated time; "pebbles" are smaller
and shorter procedures; the quick, flexible
"sand" procedures fill in the gaps. The dental
laser can be used on treatments in all three
categories, but where I like it the most is
at the sand level-diagnosed treatments
found in hygiene that consist of decay in
one or two teeth, frenectomies, removing
fibromas, gingival recontouring and other
soft-tissue procedures. We can easily fit the
patient into our schedule and perform the
treatment quickly and painlessly, because
I don't need anesthetic if working on the
teeth and require only topical anesthetic
for any gingival treatments.
This becomes a huge advantage because
I am able to leverage my time and schedule
that benefits everyone. The patients love it
because they don't have to reschedule another
appointment and the procedures are quick,
easy and painless. This can create raving
fans, which every practice appreciates.
In my experience, being able to offer
laser dentistry has led to expanded treatment
options and a higher case-acceptance rate.
Incorporating the right laser should be based
on the breadth of procedures that a practice
wishes to perform; for me, the most versatile
laser available is the 9.3µm CO2 version,
which has truly been incorporated into our
daily routine treating patients.

Learn more about
lasers in dentistry
and earn CE credit
Dentaltown's online CE section
includes three courses about laser
dentistry, which could earn you
up to 4.5 hours of CE credit.
To get started, go to
dentaltown.com/laser-CE.
http://www.dentaltown.com/laser-CE http://www.dentaltown.com
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