Re: Laser dentistry



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





Eigenvector wrote:
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?

.

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