I will say this David that it will cut slower period at a lower energy setting but I repeatedly now have heard from people who have used both Delight and Biolase units tell me that particularly on the maxillary arch the Waterlase has a tremendous amount of water coming out which obscures the view. The water spray makes it more difficult to accurately see how far you are awy from the tooth and that may slow you down.

Now my question is, if HK exists then how can you cut faster with a reduced water and air spray.

Just asking a question??

GRIN

Glenn

David: I was just giving you a bad time.

In general the highest degree of cutting that I have with the laser is at the highest energy settings. I dont vary the water or air as much as some who own the biolase. We just try to get a nice water spray that still allows visibility when cutting hard tissue but isnt so little that charring or pain occurs.

I am not sure in the grand scheme of things how much the water /air% has on the whole thing.

I havent read anything in the literature that shows that there is an optimum spray. I think visibility is enhanced by certain lower settings and less water buildup etc…….

For me the waters function is to rehydrate and keep the pulp cool, so as long as there is enough water to do that then I try not to change it.

For soft tissue that is a different story. In addition if I had the ability to alter the % of air and water like Biolase users do then maybe I would feel differently.

Anyways David , from what I have seen you have learned an awful lot!!

Take care and continued success.

Glenn

Hi David,
Nice stuff, and questions. I just got back from the WCM in Vancouver, and wow, what a meeting! As for the settings, I use the 5.5W for the anesthesia, and make my INITIAL cuts in enamel using 5.5 80%air, and 50% water, not the 90/60 thing anymore. THis is an ever evolving process, and as we learn what works in our differing hands, we pass it on. Real cool. Don’t forget that the focused mode, 1.5-2mm from the tips end, IS the most concentrated energy, therefore, it SHOULD cut a bit faster. For me, I am not looking for ultimate speed, but for control of ablation, not too fast, not too slow, but just right. Everyone’s eyes, hand/wrist motions are a bit different, and so not every setting is a “cookie cutter” approach, which you have proved with your photos. Excellent conversation here, and keep sharing. I will try what you and Kim have shown, and see how it works in my hands. Should be interesting.

Mark

Great thread here guys.

How much of the slower cutting do you think is due to the fact that with the increased water and air it is more difficult to see exactly how far away you are from the tooth. I still think that the magnification is as important.

The water spray should not be flooding the prep and having not seen what the 90/60 gives you it may be that the lower air and water combo gives you both less pooling, and allows for better vision.

I like your pics David, very very well done.

Now in all honesty if HK was a big deal wouldnt the higher water and air levels make it easier to cut??

Again David, awesome pics and I know that was alot of work to do that and the pics are really nice.

You know the defocussed one sure gives you a nice bevel though doesnt it. That is why I like to use caries settings or 2watts or so for enamel bevels in class 4s to decrease the depth of each ablative cut into the tooth. It makes it easier to get bond into each and also in my hands makes it easier to hide the white etched enamel if you use lower settings to bevel.

Cool stuff David……thanks again.

It was too bad that Mark and I didnt get a chance to touch base but perhaps next time. Our schedules just didnt match but we did have a nice conversation on the phone.

Cheers to all and cya in 1-2 weeks.

Glenn

Glenn,
It was really too bad we couldn’t connect, but family comes first! Happy Birthday to your wife! Hope the party was a smash.

As far as the HK thing, I think that the proper “mixture” of water, air, and laser energy are the important factors in how the erbiums ablate. If one has too much water, it seems to overshadow what the laser engergy is intended to do. In addition, I also think that if we were able to make our machines cut at a higher wattage, maybe, just maybe our ablation would be greater with more water?? just thinking out loud. Hard to say if HK is real, BUT, without the water, no real “fine” cutting exists. Just “melting” of the targe tissue. Interesting though. Nice again David. David, I suggest you talk to Ioana, or Dimitri at Biolase, and email the pictures to them…they might be able to explain or help you a bit more. Again, just thinking out loud.

Mark

P.S. The World Congress of Microdentistry Meeting was the most incredible meeting I have attended yet this year, and as you all know I have been to quite a few. Holy mackerel, the things I saw, and learned are unbelieveable. Hope you all might consider attending next year in San Fransisco!

Vince:

On the DELight, I just turn the water down as low as possible to prevent pooling but high enough to irrigate the lesion. With the Waterlase, I use an 11% H20 setting.

Al

Thanks gentlemen.