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.