Hello Michael,

I’ll take a stab at your questions……..

Does anyone know if any CRA evalutors have started trying the hard tissue lasers (Waterlase or DeLight)?  I wonder if anyone has heard any preliminary reports in the field or from CRA. You know how they are down on the in office light activated bleaching.  

CRA, has disappointingly, done very little with any lasers over the past 14 years, and what they have done has led to extremely inaccurate conclusions.

Drs. Gordon and Rella Christenson have done very little to educate or involve themselves in this admittedly complex topic.  However, they continue to volunteer their ill-informed opinions to their informtion-hungrey audiences.

For example, both at the Chicago Mid-Winter Meeting last weekend and in the February 2004 issue of Dentistry Today, Dr. Christenson offers a very inaccurate portrayal of lasers for periodontal treatment.  Look for our letter to the Editor on that topic!

Also,  how do you think the next generation of hard tissue lasers will be improved…what will we see?

For the next “generation” I think we will see some simple changes that don’t require complete redesigns of the entire systems, changes that really just involve computer software such as more Hertz, maybe a new external box shape, improvements in tips, handpieces and delivery systems.

Smaller units (They are fairly big)
Work a little faster.( Some occlusal restoration stories make them sound like a good bit more work than the ole high speed.
Less discomfort? I’m not sure what percentage of the time  laser docs are using local.
Quieter popping sounds.
Less cost (They are really pricey)

Eventually, some company will push the major players into a complete technology upgrade to smaller, faster, more efficient lasers.  But don’t expect prices to come too much unless there is a huge technology breakthrough.  Erbiums are fussy and more complex machines than other solid-state pulsed lasers like Nd:YAG.

But there are already at least one international laser that is digital, that therefore can offer variable pulse durations and Hertz.  They still have a ways to go to improve user friendliness, features, multiple powers and optimal clinical parameters.

As you might surmise I’m tetering on buying one now to begin on the early curve.  However, I was one of the early purchasers of dental office management computers about 18 years ago and I remember paying &#364,000 for and IBM CPU alone that ran at a whopping 8 Mhz and had 30 MB of hard drive.  The early software was pathetic.  I went through 2 dental software company bankruptcies and 3 transitions until I got Softdent. Whew.

Been there………

I have a fear of getting burned again with hard tissue lasers today but I love high tech stuff and like providing the best dentistry I can to my patients.  Is this a good time jump in with a hard tissue laser?

Define your clinical needs, go to the meetings and talk to all the laser companies, get Jeff Manni’s book.  Buy a laser not a social event.  Educate yourself.  There are lasers that have optimal parameters for their wavelength and for real problems we face everyday in our profession.

Good luck.

Bob

You know what Kelly, your post is BANG on. What I see out there from many manufacturers is an emphasis on our laser can do it all. Its unfair to expect one laser to do it all and if you realize the limitations of a certain wavelength as well as the benefits of it compared to another then you can make an educated decision on the impact that laser will have on your practice.

I constantly harp about the value of a basic understanding of laser physics and science being important for those who are anticipating buying a laser, and yet I still see alot of people rushing out to buy on impulse and then having buyers remorse when the laser doesnt remove amalgams or cut crowns or occlusals as fast as a handpiece.

I hope that in your lectures you educate your students about the value of a basic laser course (standard proficiency) because its the key to knowing whether you will be happy with a certain laser or not.

Kudos to you for your remarks because in my opinion that is why this board is so helpful……people try to look at the research and science in a way that will impact their clinical work, instead of the cookbook approach to settings and listening to all the hype from various sales reps who vouch that their laser can do it all .

Some can do it all ……….JUST NOT WELL.

Glenn