When you hear "dental laser" you probably think of a diode laser for debridement, gingivectomies, crown lengthening, biopsies, and maybe cold sore treatment. You may also think about a hard tissue laser, like the Waterlase (which does soft tissue procedures as well), that can prepare teeth for fillings without creating a need for anesthesia. If you’re a believer in dental lasers, you probably agree that they create less pain, decrease recovery time, and are more precise than their traditional counterparts in every procedure. There’s more to lasers, though. They can do more for your practice – from a clinical and a marketing perspective.
Clinical Applications
In January, Dental Products Report published an article by Dr. Robert A. Lowe entitled "Lasers in Restorative Practice." In the piece, Dr. Lowe lists many ways in which dental lasers can be used, including "cavity preparations, dentin desensitization, enamel etching, osseous recontouring during gingival surgery, endodontic therapy including pulpal vaporization, osseoectomy during tooth/root extraction or ridge contouring." Had you any clue? And this list is not and exhaustive list. Stay tuned to DPR for parts two and three coming in February and March.
Marketing Applications
Larry Emmott hit the nail on the head when he said patients expect their dentist to be technically savvy. Medicine, after all, is always at the cutting edge of dentistry…pun intended, if feeble. If you have a laser, flaunt it. But be careful! The ADA and your state dental board do not like dentists to toss around statements of superiority or guarantees of predictable results. However, you can let potential and current patients know that you have invested in a laser, and hopefully training, so that you can bring them what you consider to be the most comfortable, accurate, and least invasive dental therapy.
Learn More
If you want to learn more about dental lasers, you won’t have to look far. Trade mags turn our laser articles constantly because of their growing popularity. Online, you can visit the American Academy of Laser Dentistry or laser suppliers, like BIOLASE, to learn more. Compare prices and functions at DentalCompare.com, and be sure to ask your peers which laser they prefer and why.
Could your practice benefit from a dental laser? Absolutely.