Hi All,
I was thinking today what a great opportuntiy to have a fearful patient. I worked with a fearful 17 year old today and learned a great deal about how and when to adjust settings and mix it up for comfort. Everytime I did it my way I would get these little noises from the young lady. Not to be beaten I adjusted the settings from high to low mixed in one of those fine spoons and a little 1/2 round bur sort of like mixing it up in a boxing match. I won. It was fun and in the end she admitted to feeling very little.

After 18 months I can still say that each day I gain a little more confidence and certainty as to what will happen at a given setting or beam position.

I removed an immovable tooth via forceps, #11 fractured to the gumline in a 76 year old man by removing buccal and lingual bone via the laser with ease and virtually no bleeding so good visibility as I went.

I can now use the laser on virtually all crown preps for troughing with very little problem and within the last week I completed two crown lenghtenings(closed) again with confidence and an experienced certainty about the out come.

Somethings are still hard. I think of access in some areas especially when trying to accomodate the assistant with her straw and the spray on my mirror.

I can no longer see anything adaquately without my Ziess head light and magnification. I may have to get another one for my other op after my trip to the top of the mountain in Cerritos next month. I am wondering if some of you are moving your multiple lasers from room to room with a small fork lift or do you have a dumb waiter in the wall of your favorite operatory?

Pat