Pat, YOU da man! <—the Italian coming out in me!
Well here goes, hope I get it right. The Waterlase seems to be a bit more finickey than some of the other lasers I read about, and this is the care I take in my laser, and mind you, I haven’t blown a trunk fiber in a year, and even a handpiece!(hope I didn’t just jinx myself!)
First of all, when you are done using the laser, place the water toggle in the “off” position, set your air to 100% and place in the “on” position, then the water to 100%, and in the “on” position(note, it’s mostly in the “auto” position when in use), and have the laser unit still turned on. This “purges” all the water out of the trunk fiber, and dries the mirror/handpiece/tip assembly. Some say you don’t have to do this, I think differently. ANyway, it doesn’t HURT to do this, so why not? I also make sure when I change tips, to run the air for a few seconds (“on” position) to dry the mirror before taking the old tip off and replacing it with a new tip. Again, I have been told this is unneccessary, and I may change this myself, it can be a pain.
When you first look into your handpiece from the bottom, make sure the mirror is clean, not fogged, or blackend. If it is NOT clean, don’t use it. Get the mirror replaced. Also, check your tips, if there are any cracks, or initial sparking when you first initiate the laser energy, it’s bad, repalce it. If you use it, you’ll probably foul the mirror. This is really hard to describe, much easier in lecture form! I hope this is a start to help you Waterlase users. Any questions, just call me! It might be easier.
Mark

After your one year warranty period expires, you will be required to purchase a yearly service contract for the Biolase Erbium laser. Be careful to read the fine print and get it in writing that this covers the delivery system, e.g. burned out mirrors on handpieces. The current fee is &#363800 per year. Handpieces are easily changed chairside. Biolase will send you new or refurbished handpieces the next business day and you will need to return old handpieces with damaged mirrors.

My suggestion would be to never use the Biolase Erbium around amalgams or PFM crown margins. Use of the laser in these cases will result in damage to your tips, mirrors, trunk fiber and possibly the internal components of the laser.

Al

Mike,
Welcome to the Board!
I ended up with a spare trunk in the beginning and I can be back in business in 15 minutes when I have a problem. Since I use the laser all day long and many folks want it that way I greatly apreciate that extra trunk. In my geographic location depending upon whien the trunk fails it might mean a full days booking would need to be shuffled or be willing to do it the old way. If I had to pay &#363800 and I was using excellent maintenance procedures I might go with next day air plan and suffle the patients as possible. On the other had if I have a spare trunk and kept my schedule in tact, what are the risks of failure of the laser vs not having a maintenance contract for the second year as a means of paying for it? Something to think about.

Pat

Mike:

You were right on when you said foregoing the maintenance contract after first year is a crapshoot. I guess you could buy a couple of trunk fibers and take a chance but lemme tell you, if something goes wrong with whats inside that white box its thousands and thousands and thousands to fix. You can pick up your laser one day, find it dead and then discover that the internal components need a major overhaul.

Presently, we just go ahead and get the service contract and the company responds quickly to our needs.

Al

P. S. Although I have personally installed two trunk fibers on my Erbium without incident, something became misaligned during my third fiber installment attempt and a technician was required. Without the service contract, it’s &#36750 for the technician to walk through your door.

I have a question I am not sure of. Maybe someone can answer it. Is there a handpiece manufacturer, that warranties their handpieces more than one year after you buy them? If so, what company? I just was wondering?
Mark

Mark:

I have heard that the ConBio DeLight Erbium laser has a two year warranty. Whether or not this covers all of the laser components including the “handpieces” I do not know. I have heard through the “grapevine” that most users of the ConBio DeLight do not use a “handpiece” but a different type of delivery system.

Al

Al,
I agree and also feel a little foolish. No one ever suggested any long term issues of maintenance and repair. I bought in at &#361000 per month and now am learning it is more. My first reaction is denial. Can’t we avoid this somehow but Mr. tell it like it is has given me a who new prospective. Sad to say.
Pat