Welcome to the club, Cerecdoc–

We’re ALL novices here…….I just started using lasers 12 years ago, so I’m not that much ahead of you……so we’re all learning together. Tongue firmly planted in cheek.;)

There are NO dumb questions here, and NO discrimination based on wavelengths or devices.  Just opportunities to learn–thanks to Ron.

If I may be so bold as to suggest a manner and method of referring to our laser of topic and discussion?  Any objections?

Too bad, here I go:

It is most accurate and descriptive to speak about our lasing MEDIUM, and power parameters, than it is to speak of the brand names of the devices we use.  I’m not against marketing–knock yourselves out.  But when speaking about erbiums or neodymiums or diodes, why not speak to the medium, wavelength and emission mode?

For example:

Waterlase

Medium: Er, CR:YSGG or Erbium, Chromium : Yttrium, Scandium, Gallium, Garnet.

Wavelength:  2790 nanometers or 2.8 microns for short

Emission mode: Free-running “FR” pulsed (10 to the minus 6 seconds) pulse duration = 125 microseconds

So we might refer to that as a FR pulsed ER: YSGG (2.8) with a 125 usec used at 6.0 W 20 hz and compare it to an FR Er:YAG (2.9) at 250 usec using 6.0 watts and 20–which is the Continuum DELight.

It’s not that you need a separate forum for your BRAND.  It’s that we ALL need to understand the power parameters that our devices have so we can communicate and compare our results with other who may not use our exact parameters, but can adjust the discussion to their device based on sound principles of laser physics.

So let’s see.  In the example above, and using the the same settings, the Er:YSGG (125 usec) would have a peak power of 2400 Watts per pulse versus 1200 Watts per pulse at the EXACT same setting for the Er:YAG (250 usec).  But the longer “burn” and “forward penetration” time of the 250 usec device (2 fold), needs to be taken into consideration.  

Heck, I don’t know……just my humble opinion.

Bob

(Edited by Robert Gregg at 9:45 pm on Dec. 13, 2002)

HI there Larry and welcome to our forum .

I cant thank Ron enough for putting this up. I have posted alot of stuff about the Continuum laser but believe me the similarities to the Waterlase are more than the differences.

THere is so much information here from trendsetting procedures (crown preps, laser desensitization protocol ) from Mark Colonna, to the science and laser physics that are so important for understanding how lasers work that Bob Gregg provides.

I have witnessed in at least three frequent users on here a massive increase in knowledge.

Ron started this forum barely knowing the difference between his diode and his erbium, but he took a standard proficiency program with Bob Barr, he posted intelligent questions and listened to the experts like Bob Gregg and Rons knowledge about lasers has been astronomical in its increase.

In Alan I saw a skeptic get so excited because people here helped him to use his laser and learn how to use it effectively when he came here I saw a very confused and skeptical user. Recently he posted crown preps which show his mastery of the laser.

There are so many others who lurk and post here, Pat Kelly with his insightful remarks adn alot of others who escape me now but listen , question, read old posts.

Look at the pics I have posted and ask not what settings but how was this possible, what is the science behind it and soon you will realize that the settings are somewhat arbitrary and basically there are low settings for things like apthous ulcers, soft tissue removal around Class V with out anesthetic.
Medium power settings for things like frenectomies, dentin and caries removal without anesthetic, biopsies, tissue removal with anesthetic and
High power settings for enamel removal, crown preps, preps with anesthetic etc……….

Keep an open mind , look and listen and you too will become very quickly a laser guru as the guys here are second to none and the best part is ……..

NO ONE CARES WHAT LASER YOU USE!!

Glenn