Train Guy, I humbly submit that you and your dentist are wrong about the Waterlase laser, if that is what your dentist checked into. All lasers are not created equal - the waterlase is approved for both soft and hard tissue work and has 80% market share right now. Here's a comparison of drill vs laser in 1 practice:
<<In my practice the 400,000 rpm “tooth crackin” drill is used ONLY to:
1) Remove old amalgam
2) Remove old crowns
3) Perform bulk reduction of tooth structure as needed
I do routinely use the Waterlase for these following procedures:
1) Remove virgin tooth decay (since the Waterlase does not crack tooth structure like the 400,000 rpm drill)
2) Perform final tooth preparation after removal of amalgam or crowns (for longer lasting restorations)
3) Sterilization of tooth structure prior to bonding of crowns and veneers (the drill does not sterilize and it leaves a smear layer that decreases bond strength)
4) Macroetching of the tooth surface and removing the smear layer to increase bond strength and enhance the seal of the crown at cementation. Waterlase treated tooth surfaces have been shown to exhibit significantly greater bond strengths over those tooth surfaces that have been “drilled” ONLY.
5) Surgical exposure and sterilization of failing titanium implants allowing predictable implant salvage and a return to health. No other technology can save a failing implant. Until the Waterlase, there was no way to kill the bacteria embedded in the implant. Until Waterlase, surgical removal of the implant, bone grafting, and placing a new implant was the only option. (EXPENSIVE and increased MORBIDITY)
6) Remove diseased gum tissue during restorative procedures
7) Remove bone to establish biologic width at the time of crown preparation by “tunneling under” the tissue. (Saves surgery and money for the patient)
8) Surgical incisions for periodontal surgery and “open” crown lengthening techniques. (Laser incisions heal faster with fewer complications)
9) Degranulation of diseased tissues during periodontal surgery.
10) Disinfection of root surfaces, bony defects during gum surgery
11) Bone reduction and resection during periodontal surgery.
12) Desensitization of root surfaces by collapsing the dentinal tubles using .25 watts, no water, and no air settings.
13) Disinfection of root canals and “sludge” removal during endodontic procedures.
14) Anesthetizing teeth by using a 90 second “rabbit” technique (NO SHOTS)
15) Soft tissue incision, osseous entry, root tip amputation, and degranulation during apicoectomies (ALL DONE WITH WATERLASE)
16) Sinus cavity access and opening during sinus augmentation procedures
17) Removal of resin cement and sterilization of veneers prior to rebonding
18) Removal of soft tissue lesions
19) Treatment of apthous ulcers and cold sores to remove the pain and accelerate healing
20) Labial and lingual frenectomies.
21) Sealants placed over the clean and sterile grooves created by Waterlase (we guarantee those sealants for 10 years)
22) Gingivectomies to eliminate “gummy” smiles
23) Access and treatment of acute periodontal abcess
24) Incision, drainage, and disinfection of odontogenic abcesses
25) Bone removal during third molar surgery because there is less bleeding, less soreness and fewer postoperative complications over using “the drill”
26) Disinfection of gum pockets after deep scaling to improve healing
27) Hemorrhage control of inflamed tissues during restorative procedures.
28) Partial pulpectomies that saves patients from root canals with a 98% success rate. (and saves money) Using only a drill for this procedure is 50/50 at best.
I have been using this technology for over 2.5 years. I turn it on in the morning, use it all day long, turn it off, and go home. The advantages of Waterlase dentistry to my patients are tremendous.
As stated there are only 3 purposes for my “400,000 rpm drill.”
I use the Waterlase for over 28 procedures. I did not even list all of them. Most of those 28 procedures above cannot be performed with the beloved “drill”, and those few procedures that can be accomplished with the drill should not be if a Waterlase is available.
My answer is the same. BECAUSE OF THOSE 3 PROCEDURES I MUST HAVE BOTH!!>>
AI
