Sidekick - Autumn 2016 - East - 32

Diode Laser Brings Functionality and Superior
Results to Practice
As a restorative dentist, one of the
keys to providing precise, accurate,
comfortable, predictable, and
efficient care is the use of advanced
technologies during clinical
procedures. The goal of any technological

BRADLEY A. PURCELL,
DDS, MS

"The goal of any
technological
advancement
is to make the
procedure faster,
better and more
cost effective."

advancement is to make the procedure faster,
better, and more cost effective. Rarely do modern
technologies meet all of these characteristics. As
a result, I first look for technologies that make me
better. Next, I consider if it will be more efficient.
Will it provide ROI or at least make financial
sense? Finally, can I use this technology with
other technologies to amplify my efficiency and
further improve the results?
I have owned diode lasers in the past, and I have
used the electrosurge extensively. The benefits
of the laser over the electrosurge are numerous:
the ability to use safely with and around dental
implants, significantly less surrounding tissue
damage, less risk of damaging a natural tooth,
less pain, no need to ground the patient, etc.
My biggest critique of the lasers I owned was
the lack of power to do the job both effectively
and efficiently. Precise LTM changed that
immediately, and I now use it almost every day,
several times a day.
The Precise LTM is most commonly used for:
1) Uncovering dental implants when there is
adequate keratinized soft tissue or the tissue has
simply covered over an already exposed dental
implant, 2) contouring soft tissue in the aesthetic
zone to achieve symmetry when gingivectomy
is indicated over osseous crown lengthening,
3) removing redundant inflamed tissue around
crown preparations, and 4) troughing for
particularly deeper crown margins prior to
intraoral scanning. I use the laser almost daily to

create optimum tissues, particularly around
crown preparations. It serves the dual purpose
of aiding in retraction for intraoral scanning
(IOS) and in hemorrhage management. In past
years, I would have suffered with cord (which
I still use) and hemostatic agent when working
in an area with less than ideal tissue. Now I
simply utilize the laser to make efficient and
small changes to the tissue. This results in
significant and fast improved tissue health,
but it also makes impression or scanning of
the final preparation easier and faster.
I try to utilize more than one technology for a
given procedure and the two that have met my
needs the best are: IOS and the Precise LTM
Diode Laser. Their importance is on par with
my high-speed handpiece. Both provide better
clinical results, make me more efficient, and
"wow" the patients, and I enjoy practicing
much more with them!
The synergy between the laser and IOS
technology makes conventional crown and
bridge techniques seem antiquated.
About the Author: Dr. Purcell currently
maintains a private practice limited to
Prosthodontics at Spectrum Dental &
Prosthodontics in Worthington, Ohio. He
lectures nationally in all areas of restorative
dentistry and continues to publish articles
related to restorative dentistry. Dr. Purcell
maintains Spectrum Dental Society, which is
an integrated continuing education facility
providing a multitude of courses for practicing
dentists and their teams. Dr. Purcell can be
reached at: bpurcell@spectum-dental.com
or visit the continuing education website at:
SpectrumDentalSociety.com.

Implant crown has experienced a fractured abutment screw and thick dense keratinized tissue had covered over the implant. The area was anesthetized
and exposed quickly and safely. The fractured screw fragment removed and a healing cap placed.
32

Sidekick | Autumn 2016

http://www.SpectrumDentalSociety.com

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