Allen I couldnt agree with you more. I do know that I havent had to do much to my laser, change filter packs (yearly maintenance) change tips as the degrade, change one foot pedal, and recently change the arm on my laser that supports the fiber.

ALl minor stuff, no major headaches.

I do know that with time I will need to change the fiber but its still good after 3 years.

Not bad huh.

Glenn

Glenn:

I knew that you would agree with me as we have discussed the maintenance issue time and time again. Both of us are on a mission to help other dentists seek the truth and to foster an improved, long term relationship between dentists and dental laser companies.

Al

Hi all,
This is my 1st post here. I’ve had the Waterlase for about 4 months now, and have always had the problem of “red light seen at the tip, water sprays out, but no popping sound”. Technician came a couple times, gave a loaner handpiece, that lasted for a couple weeks, then had the same problem recur. Sad to say, but when the laser was delivered, nobody mentioned anything about how to care for the machine, and nothing was said about extended insurance when I was talking to them before purchasing it. Of course, I should’ve asked, but they should’ve said something as well. Please correct me if I misunderstand the posts in this thread, it’s recommended that I do 2 things to prevent this trunk fiber from failing. [1] do the water purge and [2] do not move the laser around too much. Is it absolutely contraindicated that the laser be transported in your car? Is that how things can break? I just looked through the end of the handpiece and indeed saw the black dot. Is that from the laser being re-directed at itself because it was aimed at a shiny surface (amalgam)? I know the laser can’t cut amalgam, so I never did that, but I just don’t know how my handpiece got that black dot. Thanks so much for any input! I’m not too happy about having this machine and not being able to use it much.

Thanks again!

Thanks Ron!

“Watch out for metal from crowns, porcelain, certain old composites”

I was told that composites are OK to cut on. So now I’ll need to watch out for “certain old composites”? How do you personally differentiate between which composites to avoid and which is OK to cut? When I remove old composites, it’s always due to recurrent decay underneath, and the surface of the restoration is still pretty shiny.

Hi All,
This is my first post here. I’ve had my Waterlase since 7/2002 and the trunk fiber burned 2-3 months later. At the Dana Point meeting I asked the tech support people about it and they assured me that it was most likely a bad fiber. It did scorch the mirror in two handpieces, which they said was to be expected. I had switched handpieces assuming it was the problem and ended up needing two handpieces and a new trunk fiber. Kept y down for 3 days waiting for parts, but OK since.

Ive also had some trunk fiber issues. The first one was due to faulty tips according to my rep. We changed all these out and got all new ones. The second may have been to a mistake by my assistants so I now do all the maintenace on the laser. We shut it down and drain it nightly and do all the things Ive been told to. Alot like others posted here the thing just blew in the middle of a prep today. That makes 3 in three months. I like the things Im doing with it but Im becoming extremely nervous about what will happen two years from now when the contracts all run out. Ill be paying 600 a month for a unit that might as well be in the trash? Anyone out there to calm my fears or am I in trouble.