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Medical Forum / General / Dentistry / February 2007Laser dentistry
For some reason I got it into my head that the use of lasers in dentistry has pretty well ended the need for a drill or at least reduced its need. So whenever I ask my dentist about the use of lasers (mainly as a way to reduce anxiety) he scoffs and says that lasers are used typically for reduction of gumline. Also that they are extremely expensive. Does my dentist need to go back to school or what? What's the skinny on lasers in the office? Lasers there are couple types of lasers. This one Erg_yag for "drilling" is not very good idea . Of course its working but there is no significant advantage of it. The Nd_yag or diode is ok. Its very helpfull for soft tisea surgery, perio cases , ando treatment depends on situation . Of course there is not the most important equipment in dental office :)) regards kris-polanowski DDS > For some reason I got it into my head that the use of lasers in dentistry > has pretty well ended the need for a drill or at least reduced its need. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > Does my dentist need to go back to school or what? What's the skinny on > lasers in the office? Waterlase, Hoya-Conbio, and Lares have lasers that will cut tooth structure and remove decay. The claims are that you don't need anesthetic *most* of the time. I have had a Waterlase for almost 3 years and I have not found that statement to be true. I still use local anesthesia on most cases. The main advantages to the dentist is that it does not cause fractures in the enamel and it causes much less bleeding of the gum tissue (very helpful for certain restorations). Patients like not feeling any vibration, pressure, or noise through the teeth as they are being cut. That last one is probably a bigger consideration than dentists normally consider. Even when it doesn't *HURT*, touching a spinning bur to tooth structure can be quite frightening for the patient. The pressure and vibrations echo through the teeth and bones. The laser has none of that. The disadvantages are cost, cutting slower, and not living up to the 'painless' promises. It also won't cut amalgam and isn't good for crown preps. JME, Steve > For some reason I got it into my head that the use of lasers in > dentistry has pretty well ended the need for a drill or at least reduced [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > Does my dentist need to go back to school or what? What's the skinny on > lasers in the office? > Waterlase, Hoya-Conbio, and Lares have lasers that will cut > tooth structure and remove decay. [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > JME, > Steve Wow, it sounds like he's on top of it then. With my receded gumlines I certainly don't need to have tissue removed, and other than that they haven't replaced drills yet. I will totally agree with you on your estimation of how much the action of a drill can frighten patients. >> For some reason I got it into my head that the use of lasers in dentistry >> has pretty well ended the need for a drill or at least reduced its need. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >> Does my dentist need to go back to school or what? What's the skinny on >> lasers in the office? practically the preparetion using lasers for hard tissue doesnt eliminate convantional burs in 100% and next point it takes much more time. Using this kind of laser its imporetant to have apt adhesive bonding system. For these people who really afraid of drilling Its ok but in most part of cases It is not important Tn dental office the most universal type of laser is diode. There is couple factors: equipment cost the cases possible to use the advantages for patients cost for patient regards kris-Polanowski DDS >> Waterlase, Hoya-Conbio, and Lares have lasers that will cut >> tooth structure and remove decay. [quoted text clipped - 41 lines] >>> Does my dentist need to go back to school or what? What's the skinny on >>> lasers in the office? If the patient is anesthetised, you can turn up the power and it's not as slow as some would make it out to be. Learning the focus length and using 4.0 or greater magnification helps increase efficiency greatly. It's pretty cool to watch the decay just disappear with every 'pop'. What is better? Five minutes of unnerving high speed drilling or ten minutes of a more relaxed procedure? Steve > practically the preparetion using lasers for hard tissue doesnt eliminate > convantional burs in 100% and next point it takes much more time. Yes Steve but The cost of laser and much higher cost for patient change the situation a little :)) regards kris-polanowski > If the patient is anesthetised, you can turn up the power and it's > not as slow as some would make it out to be. Learning the focus length [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] >> practically the preparetion using lasers for hard tissue doesnt eliminate >> convantional burs in 100% and next point it takes much more time. > Yes Steve > but The cost of laser and much higher cost for patient change the situation > a little :)) I point to the laser and tell everyone, "This is my BMW" <G> Outside is a 1995 Taurus. Steve > If the patient is anesthetised, you can turn up the power and it's > not as slow as some would make it out to be. Learning the focus length [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Steve Depends on the difference in cost. I don't have a clue what the difference would be. >> practically the preparetion using lasers for hard tissue doesnt eliminate >> convantional burs in 100% and next point it takes much more time. Everything in my office cost the same with or without the laser. 'Course I might not fit the mold nationwide. Steve > Depends on the difference in cost. I don't have a clue what the difference > would be. Steven so you dont need any bur for preparation on enamel ? regards kris > Everything in my office cost the same with or without the laser. > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >> Depends on the difference in cost. I don't have a clue what the >> difference would be. > Steven so you dont need any bur for preparation on enamel ? The Waterlase positively cuts enamel. My machine starts attacking enamel at a setting of 1.50, but it is very slow at this setting. If I bump it up to 3.50-4.50, it is still not nearly as fast as a bur, but it won't take 20 minutes to cut a prep. I just did mesial lingual composites on two upper centrals this morning with no anesthetic, and never turning the power up over 2.0. No bur used to prep. I do use Two Striper fine diamonds to trim before polishing the restorations. Thick enamel on molars increases prep time and I have to use the higher settings. This normally means anesthesia is also needed, so I use a bur most of the time for occlusals and interproximal preps on posterior teeth. For me, the laser is not nearly as perfect as the salesmen say, but it's a lot better than most of the critics opine. JMO, D > If the patient is anesthetised, you can turn up the power and it's > not as slow as some would make it out to be. Learning the focus length [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Steve Depending on just how much more more it costs, I vote for 10 minutes of a more relaxed procedure. :) Eva |
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