I can’t imagine being a dentist today without my diode laser. Today I had a difficult access case replacing an old broken alloy that went well below the tissue, it was all inflamed and bleeding. Before laser it would have been impossible to get a good impression. Today I did it quickly and easily using the laser to expose the margin and control the bleeding.

I originally started using a soft tissue diode laser to recontour gingival margins for cosmetic purposes. Since that time I have expanded the use to include troughing for impressions, frenectomies, minor tissue removal and periodontal therapy. Troughing takes the place of packing cord to control bleeding and expose subgingival margins. It is faster, more predictable and less traumatic than the old fashioned cord techniques. And I discovered I could control bleeding and expose margins that I never could have done with conventional techniques.

Patient acceptance of the laser has been great. The general public doesn’t really understand how a laser works however they have seen and heard about how it is used in medicine especially in eye surgery. The general perception is that lasers are quick, safe, easy and painless. And in fact they are right.