Forums › Laser Treatment Tips and Techniques › Hard Tissue Procedures › Metal Removal
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PatricioSpectatorIt occurred to me today as I was removing the last three amalgams from a gentleman with chronic disease whose alternative medicine provider had recommended he have his amalgam removed that the laser is useful to identify small bits of metal and metalic substances from the walls of the preparation once the amalgam(clinically visible amalgam) has been removed. There is a significant amount of photonic fireworks which arrises as the stain and debris is removed from the prep walls. What do you think? If the goal is to remove the metal is the laser doing a more conservative and effective job in this regard?
By the way I do not recommend this treatment and have the patient sign a consent form which states I have not discussed with them or recommended this treatment as a health measure except where the restorations are defective in some way. They generally say they understand and want the restorations removed for their own reasons such as cosmetics.
Pat
Robert GreggParticipantHi Pat,
Yep. Use it every day–like today–when I remove amalgam and replace with resin, regardless of the stated reason for removong the alloys in the first place.
However, I use……..yep……..you guessed it…….a pulsed Nd:YAG that is attracted to pigment (and amalgam) selectively over dentin when defocused.
Been doing that for over 12 years.
I don’t see any reason not to do it with an erbium, though……
Bob
Glenn van AsSpectatorHi Pat……I wonder if it will affect the trunk fiber on your unit. Some people like Allen have been mentioning their concern for the trunk fiber when it sparks of metal.
Maybe those with the Waterlase can comment.
Glenn
SwpmnSpectatorI avoid attempting to remove amalgam stains with the Biolase Erbium. Resulting “white” sparks/flashback may result in damage to handpiece mirror or trunk fiber.
Al
PatricioSpectatorAl,
I agree but at the same time I am lasering in a more defocused position. The particles are so small that if they did not flash you would not know they are there. They spark more than arc. Many of these amalgam preps are already over preped from the stand point of tooth integrity and if the laser can be successfully used a more conservative quicker result can be achieved.Maybe I’ll get that service contract after all.
Pat
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