dentalblogs.com » Laser Dentistry

Cranham on WaterlaseMD

cranham — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:02:44 +0000

I’ve been using the ezlase™ diode laser by Biolase for some time, and I just trained on the Waterlase MD™ for hard and soft tissue applications. At first, I was skeptical because I had reviewed the product years ago. I was amazed, however, at advances in the technology and improvements like in the turbo tip. I like the Waterlase because it allows me to prepare conservatively and rapidly. I did a class 1, 2, and class 5 in my morning session, and at 16X under a global microscope, the clarity is unbelievable because the tissue vaporizes with the laser. It is much more efficient than I expected and, the laser energy has some effect on the nerves. The teeth are definitely not sensitive. I could do 6 teeth without anesthesia. When a patient feels something, it’s a sensation unlike burr pain. You simply back up and begin again. Working with the Waterlase was a great experience. I am excited to add this to our practice, and I look forward to continuing the training for crown lengthening and bony recontouring.

Dr. John Cranham

Lares’ New Portable XD-2 Laser Introduced

Administrator — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 13:54:25 +0000

If you’ve searched high and low for an affordable, portable soft-tissue laser to expand your service offerings, look no more. Lares Research now offers the 2-pound, 7-watt XD-2 Diode Laser, manufactured by a European company with a great reputation for making hard and soft tissue lasers, Fotona. The XD-2 Laser is perfect for first-time buyers who want to move slowly into soft-tissue procedrues in a general dentistry practice.

Press Release:

Chico, CA: March 4, 2009— Lares Research has introduced the XD-2 Diode Laser, an exceptionally lightweight and portable laser system. With the XD-2, clinicians can offer a comprehensive range of soft tissue procedures without having to make a major investment. The laser is manufactured by Fotona, the leading European manufacturer of all-tissue dental lasers.

The Lares XD-2 Diode Laser is an affordable solution for dentists who want to increase the number of services they are able to offer patients. With 7 watts of peak power, the XD-2 can perform procedures such as frenectomies, gingivectomies, crown lengthening, papillectomies, gingivoplasty, treatment of aphthous ulcers, removal of diseased tissue within the periodontal pocket, photocoagulation, soft tissue curettage, and laser-assisted whitening.

The XD-2 is easy to use (there are 4 preset treatment options), and an intuitive operator interface allows the operator to quickly tailor parameters to specific treatments. At just over 2 pounds, the compact, hand-held laser is extremely user-friendly and is an excellent choice for clinicians making their first laser purchase.

Lares is a recognized leader in the development, manufacture and distribution of oral cutting technology, supplying dentists with precision handpieces and high performance lasers worldwide. The company has been an innovator in the field of dental lasers since it began offering lasers to dental clinicians in 1997. For more information, call 888-333-8440, ext. 2050, or go to www.laresdental.com.

Dental Lasers 101

Administrator — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:37:43 +0000

DentalCompare has added some exciting features to the company website this year. While reading the DC newsletter, I came across this month’s DentalCompare Presents: Power of Lasers in Dentistry. The webpage is dedicated to providing photos and product information about many types of dental lasers, including products from HOYA, Sirona, BIOLASE, Ivoclar, and Millennium. You can watch videos and request information about any of the featured lasers.

In addition to the product information, featured articles range on topics from soft tissue and ortho applications to cosmetic laser dentistry to gingivoplasty and “the basics.” There’s also an interview entitled “Dental Lasers: It’s Time to Get On Board” with Dr. Tony Hewlett, President Elect of the Academy of Laser Dentistry. Events and educational opportunities are listed, as well, with links to the programs for more information. If you’re on the fence about laser dentistry, you’ll only find pro-laser contributors here. Nevertheless, the information is worthy of review if you are a new laser owner or are considering a laser purchase.

Lasers Can Do More Harm than Good if Not Used Properly

Administrator — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 15:09:58 +0000

Many dentists agree, lasers have transformed dental procedures like periodontal debridement, crown lengthening, cosmetic gingivectomies, tooth prep, and tissue grafting. The problem is, according to an article at Dr. Bicuspid, even when used at the suggested settings, dental lasers can harm dentin and pulp. Lasers are supposed to be minimally invasive, right?

The solution may be simply working more slowly and on a lower setting. You can read about a related experiment here.

Want to buy a laser? Take a look at www.dentalcompare.com to weigh your options.

Lasers vs Electrosurge

Administrator — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:38:12 +0000

If you’re a Townie (go to dentaltown.com here) or you read Dentaltown, check out the discussion on electrosurge versus laser on page 38. Questions were presented as to whether a laser has significant advantages over monopolar or bipolar electrosurge – enough so to warrant the financial and training investment required for using a laser. The general consensus was that a laser is more precise and can cause less trauma. That doesn’t necessarily make it the best choice, though, when cost and training are factored into the equation. If you’re facing a similar laser versus E-surge dilemma, check out the discussion, and refer to these resources for more information…

Waterlase MD™ – The hard and soft tissue laser; not a diode. Visit the website here.

Nd:YAG means Neodymium Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (laser), such as the PerioLase® by Millennium Dental Technologies, Inc., which is used for LANAP®, Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure, also by Millennium. See LANAP® video here.

Odyssey Diode Laser – For soft tissue applications and preventive dentistry. Visit the website here.

SIROLaser – A compact diode laser by Sirona for endo, perio, and surgery. Visit the website here.

Academy of Laser Dentistry – An organization created in 1993 to provide clinical education, research, and development of standards and guidelines for use of lasers in dentistry, world wide. Visit the website here.

Lasers in Dentistry

cranham — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 12:14:52 +0000

I have had some extensive exposure with the diode laser, a CO2 laser, and some experience with the Hoya hard tissue laser. Before working with lasers, though, I used an electrosurgery unit and did not see the need for lasers. I thought the cost was prohibitive, as well.

I started using the Odyssey diode (on loan) about three years ago. After one month of use, I was sold on the technology, and put my electrosurge away. The most important thing to know is that the zone of necrosis is 50 microns with the diode laser, whereas it is about 500 microns with the electrosurge. Because of this and furthermore, when using an electrosurge, the patient requires profound anesthesia for tissues and teeth to remain comfortable, but soft tissue lasers are kinder and don’t cause the need for such anesthesia.

I recommend the diode laser to clean up tissues (hypertrophied tissues, overgrowth), for gingivectomies soft tissue re-contouring, and for troughing final impressions because the control is great.

More recently, I’ve used a CO2 laser, which is often used for flaps and larger procedures. Many of the new CO2s do well and are toned down. However, with the CO2, you aren’t in actual contact with the tissue as you are with a diode. I found that the Hoya hard tissue lasers are great for pedo and filling work. I do more crown and bridgework, so it’s not there yet for my needs. I find that I use the diode more, then the CO2 would be secondary.

Ivoclar launches Oddessy Navigator Diode Laser in Chicago

Administrator — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 11:48:40 +0000

Ivoclar launched their Odessy Navigator Laser during the Chicago Mid-Winter Meeting. It is a compact battery operated three watt diode laser with a wireless Bluetooth footswitch. There are no more fibers to cleave and manage as the tips are disposable. Click on the video below to see a demonstration.

Feel Free to Ask! Dental Blogs is about sharing ideas without confrontation.

soileau — Tue, 01 Nov 2005 14:44:40 +0000

We have all been on other forums where anyone can post anything about anyone. This often leads to angry and self-ritious grandstanding. In other words, confrontation for the sake of protecting ones turf, as opposed to simply sharing ideas for the simple sake of helping others. All the authors of this forum have the obligation and responsibility to maintain an environment where anyone feels comfortable asking a question or sharing a view without being ridiculed or interrogated. There are too many forums where this mentailty exist. The end result is that only a few meaningful post are presented which are then attacked and no one else post anything. That will not happen here. If you have any question or want to share an idea in a thoughtful way, please do so. That is what this forum is about. We have the best and brightest here and they truly want to help others achieve the same success that they have. They willingly share their ideas and experiances without any form of compensation other than the warm feeling of knowing they made a difference. So I personally invite all of you to ask or share whatever you wish because I bet you will have more to teach me as I have to teach you.

Tony

Treatment of periodontal pockets with a diode laser

Administrator — Tue, 30 Aug 2005 18:00:34 +0000

This is an interesting article that was posted on the Cerec forum. I always hear the claim that there have been no studies that support diode laser therapy in the treatment of periodontal disease.

Lasers Surg Med 1998;22(5):302-11

Treatment of periodontal pockets with a diode laser.

Moritz A, Schoop U, Goharkhay K, Schauer P, Doertbudak
O, Wernisch J, Sperr W.

Department of Conservative Dentistry, Dental School of
the University of Vienna, Austria.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to
examine the long-term effect of diode laser therapy on
periodontal pockets with regard to its bactericidal
abilities and the improvement of periodontal
condition. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty
patients were randomly subdivided into two groups
(laser-group and control-group) and microbiologic
samples were collected. There have been six
appointments for 6 months following an exact treatment
scheme. After evaluating periodontal indices (bleeding
on probing, Quigley-Hein) including pocket depths and
instruction of patients in oral hygiene and scaling
therapy of all patients, the deepest pockets of each
quadrant of the laser-group’s patients were
microbiologically examined. Afterwards, all teeth were
treated with the diode laser. The control-group
received the same treatment but instead of laser
therapy were rinsed with H2O2. Each appointment also
included a hygienic check-up. After 6 months the final
values of the periodontal indices and further
microbiologic samples were measured. The total
bacterial count as well as specific bacteria, such as
Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Prevotella
intermedia, and Porphyromonas gingivalis, were
assessed semiquantitatively. RESULTS: The bacterial
reduction with diode laser therapy was significantly
better than in the control group. The index of
bleeding on probing improved in 96.9% in the
laser-group, whereas only 66.7% in the control group.
Pocket depths could be more reduced in the laser group
than in the control group. CONCLUSION: The diode laser
reveals a bactericidal effect and helps to reduce
inflammation in the periodontal pockets in addition to
scaling. The diode laser therapy, in combination with
scaling, supports healing of the periodontal pockets
through eliminating bacteria.

First Laser Gum Disease Procedure to gain FDA Clearance – “Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure or Laser-ANAPÂ®”

Administrator — Mon, 22 Aug 2005 15:08:19 +0000

CERRITOS, Calif., October 8, 2004 / PRNewswire / – Millennium Dental Technologies, Inc. (MDT) announced today it has received the first FDA clearance ever for a laser-based periodontal (gum) disease treatment protocol while using the first ever digital dental laser–the PerioLaseÂ® MVP-7â„¢.

50 people out of 100 have moderate to severe gum disease, 40 out of the 50 don’t know it, and only 3 people out of 100 will ever get treated before it’s too late.

Gum disease is a silent, painless, chronic, communicable, bacterial infection that often goes undetected or ignored until severe gum and bone destruction catch the individual’s attention. Traditional treatments for gum disease have, until Laser-ANAP, been perceived as painful with a long and uncomfortable recovery, scaring patients away and causing the epidemic numbers suffering with this preventable and now attractively treatable disease.

The US Food and Drug Administration cleared Laser-ANAPÂ® (“Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure”) with a unique and specific claim for, “cementum-mediated new periodontal ligament attachment to the root surface in the absence of long junctional epithelium.”

FDA clearance for Laser-ANAPÂ® using the PerioLaseÂ® MVP-7â„¢ variable pulsed Nd:YAG dental laser follows three years of research at Louisiana State University, School of Dentistry, New Orleans, by principal investigator, Professor Raymond A. Yukna, DMD, MS, and coordinator of post-graduate periodontics at LSU. Professor Yukna led a controlled, blinded, clinical and human histology study that evidenced new root surface coating (cementum) and new connective tissue (periodontal ligament) formation (collagen) on on tooth roots by stimulating existing stem cells to grow following the use of the PerioLaseÂ® MVP-7â„¢ & Laser-ANAPÂ® protocol.

“These results are very positive, very consistent, and very encouraging related to the treatment of deep gum pockets,” said Yukna. “Dentists have been looking for ways to regenerate some of the tissues lost to gum infections and Laser-ANAPÂ® is an exciting and revolutionary treatment protocol showing microscopically that we can form a new root coating (cementum) and new connective tissue attachment (collagen). Our consistent results (all LANAP treated teeth showed a positive result) suggest that the best possible type of healing can be obtained using the specific Laser-ANAPÂ® protocol. This presents a wonderful alternative to traditional surgery.”

The preliminary phase of Yukna’s study was published in the International Association of Dental Research, January, 2004. On March 12, 2004, Dr. Yukna and co-workers presented their complete findings at the International Association of Dental Research Meeting in Hawaii in a paper titled, “Human Periodontal Regeneration Following the Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure.” http://iadr.confex.com/iadr/2003Goteborg/techprogram/abstract_34208.htm

Contact Info
Paxton Quigley
818-986-4502
paxq@aol.com
MDT Public Relations

Dr. Ray Yukna, Professor
LSU Grad Periodontics
(504) 619-8659
PerioRay@aol.com

Dr. Delwin McCarthy, COO of MDT
562-860-2908
dmccarthy@millenniumdental.com