Soft Tissue Lasers: A Buyers' Guide
Laser technology has been used by dental practices for decades, but new generations of dentists are adopting these tools like never before. It makes sense: lasers are among the most versatile clinical dental instruments on the market today, capable of performing dozens of procedures while offering significant advances in patient comfort. But with many types of lasers to choose from, it can be hard to determine which is best for your practice. This guide discusses the basics of laser dentistry to help you determine how best to integrate lasers into your business.
Types of Dental Lasers
There are several types of dental lasers in use today, each developed for particular use cases:
- Diode lasers are the versatile workhorses of laser dentistry. They are used for soft tissue procedures including hemostasis, gingivectomy, frenectomy, periodontal decontamination, desensitization, and more.
- CO2 lasers are also used primarily for soft tissue surgery and periodontics, but require more extensive training than diode lasers.
- Nd:YAG (neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet) lasers are solid state lasers, also commonly used for soft tissue procedures.
- Er:YAG (erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet) lasers are used in hard tissue procedures such as cavity preparation, caries detection, and endodontics.
Although AMD has developed several laser types in the past, we now focus exclusively on soft tissue diode lasers.
How Diode Lasers Work
Diode lasers are the most common type of lasers produced today. They can emit wide spectra of light energy and are used in applications ranging from laser printing and scanning to fiber-optic communications and more. This versatility is what makes diode lasers such a potent and accessible dental tool.
When calibrated to particular wavelengths, the energy emitted by diode lasers interacts with pigmented molecules in oral soft tissue. Essentially, the light energy is absorbed by melanin and red blood cells, causing a heating effect. A skilled clinician can use this reaction to precisely cut, coagulate, or vaporize tissues without impacting surroundings.
Soft Tissue Diode Laser Procedures
Soft tissue diode lasers reduce inflammation, improve tissue healing, and help prevent recurrence of gum disease, making them great tools for a variety of soft tissue dental procedures, including:
- Gum disease treatment
- Gingivectomy
- Gingivoplasty
- Aphthous ulcer treatment
- Herpetic lesion treatment
- Periodontal soft tissue surgery
- Implant placement
Patient Benefits
Diode lasers produce significant improved clinical outcomes for patients, including:
- Reduced pain and discomfort. Patients experience less pain during and after procedures, requiring less anesthetic and pain control.
- Faster healing. Lasers promote quicker healing with mild side effects, enabling patients to resume normal activities sooner.
- Virtually no bleeding. Laser procedures result in little to no bleeding, often eliminating the need for stitches.
- Precision aesthetics. Lasers allow for delicate, precise cosmetic improvements, enhancing smile aesthetics.
Practice Benefits
Regularly employing diode lasers provides many benefits to dental practices:
- Expanded treatment options. Diode lasers can be used for dozens of common periodontal procedures, expanding the scope of a general dental practice.
- Broader patient base. The ability to offer a wider range of procedures differentiates practices and helps attract more patients.
- Greater production. Lasers can streamline procedures and reduce treatment time, increasing patient turnover and overall efficiency.
- Increased revenue. Offering advanced procedures and maximizing efficiency generate greater revenue while improving bottom line.
- Enhanced reputation. Practices that use laser technology are seen as modern and innovative—often a key to attracting younger patients.
Safety
Obviously, patient and clinician safety should be top of mind for any tool or treatment technique, and lasers are no different. When used according to manufacturer standards by qualified professionals with appropriate training, diode lasers are completely safe. AMD laser devices are equipped with multiple failsafes to ensure users are always in control of power output. They also come with specialized protective eyewear for clinicians and patients.
Training
While regulations vary by state and country, clinicians are generally required to complete specialized training to use dental lasers. This training covers basic laser principles, safety protocols, procedural applications, and more. With adequate training and practice, clinicians can become proficient in laser dentistry in a reasonable timeframe.
New buyers of AMD laser tools receive access to comprehensive online training as part of their purchase. In addition, AMD offers many continuing education courses with industry leaders.
If you’re interested in exploring your laser dentistry options, schedule a free, no-obligation live demo, or call our team at 1.866.999.2635.