Forums Erbium Lasers General Erbium Discussion Different Uses for our Lasers

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  • #2864 Reply

    2thlaser
    Spectator

    Hello All,
    Yesterday, I was taking impressions for a lower removable partial denture. We still do a few of those around these parts, due to financial situations. I was about to make the rest preps on the mandibular teeth, using a round diamond and a high speed, when it occured to me to use the laser, on a very low setting, and viola it worked. I got real nice neat and controlled rest preps, with very little “pitting” from the lased surface. I used 1.25W 40%air, and 30%water.
    Let’s hear some other uses as you discover them. I hadn’t heard of the above one yet, so I decided to post it here.
    Thanks,
    Mark
    PS. I was very busy, so sorry, no photo on this one, but the next one!!!!;0

    #6667 Reply

    Anonymous
    Guest

    Great idea ,Mark
    Thanks for sharing.
    Do you (or anyone else for that matter) understand what the relationship is between the water and the air?
    i.e. Why in some instances you’d want to use more water than air or vice versa?

    #6672 Reply

    2thlaser
    Spectator

    One thing I can tell is that the higher the water, with the higher the power, the greater the ablation rate and depth. When I cut the rest preps, the lower water with the lower power, gives me MUCH more control on surface cutting speed and smoothness. Same goes when I do crown/veneer preps. Lower water/air, smoother more controlled ablation, and viseversa with higher power, high speed cutting. In addition, if patient sensitivity occurs, dropping air and water increases patient comfort. I have noticed on crown and veneer preps in particular, that when I place margins, I get GREAT shoulders with the controlled cutting at low wattages, i.e. 1.25W 40%air, 30%water. Now, if the Waterlase is cutting with hydrokinetics, it goes without saying that the more water, the more ablation, the less water the less ablation, and Glenn, please don’t wince on that comment! Hopefully this hydrokinetic thing will get resolved. All I know is that the Waterlase does work different with differing water and air levels, and then finding appropriate power wattage levels to achieve the results one is looking for. AND every laser is different. Your Waterlase is different than mine, and you will probably need to tweek your settings for the “feel” and results that work best in your hands. I hope I made some sense here. I am a newbie after all!
    Mark

    #6671 Reply

    2thlaser
    Spectator

    PS….I always use more air than water, I just seem to like the effect better.
    Mark

    #6669 Reply

    gwmilicich
    Spectator
    QUOTE
    Quote: from 2thlaser on 3:09 pm on Nov. 21, 2002
    Now, if the Waterlase is cutting with hydrokinetics, it goes without saying that the more water, the more ablation, the less water the less ablation,
    Mark

    Mark
    As an observation, a given water/air setting that initally cuts well (for arguments sake 70%A 60%W) when intially entering a cavity, then it eventually stalls out when the cavity gets narrow and deep. It appears to me that if the air isn’t bumped up, water begins to pool in the cavity and “chokes” the laser, with the pooled water absorbing the laser energy before it can get near the tooth surface.

    In these cases, I leave the water setting alone and bump up the air to about 90-95%. Voila, instant cutting.

    On smooth surfaces, it behaves differently because the is no water pooling occuring.

    Great fun

    Cheers

    #6674 Reply

    Glenn van As
    Spectator

    How can it be that water pooling is causing the Waterlase to stall.

    I thought the water was accelerated , could it be that the laser energy doesnt travel well through the pooled water and that is why it stops cutting.

    (PS my tongue is firmly entrenched in my cheek……and by the way the newest biolase adds for bone and endo dont mention hydrokinetics……..are the rambles of an insane man making a difference?)

    I dont have the Biolase but there is a fine line between to much water……..pooling , and too little which leads to charring.

    Many times in narrow preps you will find under the scope that there is charring and stalling, the water actually doesnt get down beside the tooth to cool and rehydrate it.

    I think your post is an excellent one Graeme and the water/air combo is something that is very important in working without anesthetic. To little cause pain , to much slows it down ( the water).

    Great stuff guys………..

    Glenn

    #6670 Reply

    gwmilicich
    Spectator
    QUOTE
    Quote: from Glenn van As on 11:12 am on Nov. 23, 2002
    How can it be that water pooling is causing the Waterlase to stall.

    I thought the water was accelerated , could it be that the laser energy doesnt travel well through the pooled water and that is why it stops cutting.

    Glenn

    Yep
    My observation is that once the air flow stops moving the water (deep narrow cavity) the pooled water absorbs the energy of the pulse and nothing happens on the tooth. Increasing the air flow rate clears the water and allows a mist to enter the cavity rather than a puddle of water. The surface needs to be wet, not drowned and buried.

    I am sure the same happens with your laser too:-)))

    Cheers

    #6677 Reply

    Robert Gregg DDS
    Spectator

    Hi Guys and Gals–

    Here a REAL different use for any laser–even erbiums.

    For spot-melting green compound during denture border moldingto smooth out and soften any wrinkles before placing it back in the mouth. Much better control over the heating of the compound.

    Isn’t that a HOOT?

    It works in a defocused mode for smoothing out the wrinkles in the compound after getting the first impression.

    I’ve shared this with people who don’t have lasers and I get the funniest looks. Ha! :biggrin:

    Bob

    #6673 Reply

    2thlaser
    Spectator

    Extremely, uh, warm/cool! Thanks Bob. I am going to try THAT one!
    Mark

    #6675 Reply

    Glenn van As
    Spectator

    Cool Bob………..gosh another cool thing. I have softened GP in obturated canals with my argon in a defocussed mode.

    Again another photothermal effect.

    Great stuff Bob, but what else is new.

    Glenn

    Bob I have a question for you about Nd:Yag.

    I had a guy a while back tell me about a lawsuit involving Nd:Yag and an apicoectomy where apparently a necrosis of the bone ( I guess due to improper settings and use of the laser) happened.

    Can you tell me what happened as this is something that guys on my endodontic forum have mentioned before. Apparently quite a few knew of the case and it must have been in the JOE or something like that.

    Glenn

    #6668 Reply

    d2thdr
    Spectator

    Cool Bob………..gosh another cool thing. I have softened GP in obturated canals with my argon in a defocussed mode.

    I am a total newbie. An owner as of Monday, yet to actually put into a mouth yet. Training with Rich Frankenberg aborted by Mother Nature today.

    Question Glenn: Can I remove GP post endo with my DeLight? I use the Safesider/EZFill technique, and sometimes using rotary after finish want to pull the GP point back out.

    Thanks

    #6676 Reply

    Glenn van As
    Spectator

    Hi Dennis: The Delight will slowly remove GP but it can spark and char the tips. Better have alot of water on it. Its slow as well so I would only do it in an apico if that was what you wanted to do in a retrofill prep.

    I dont use it for this, too slow and rough on the GP. I use either a diamond or a slowspeed round bur to smooth out the GP.

    Glenn

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