Jetsfan,

Thanks for your comments. What a great group of contributors. I am sure this board will make significant contributions to the clinical effectiveness of lasers. I am thinking in my hands that certainty is uncertain. The predicability comes in the bag of tricks which experience brings to the table. For example in those deep sensitive spaces simply moving to a slow rotating high torque round bur in the electric handpiece does it. If this is not the case then intra osseous anesthesia will almost always cure the discomfort in a few seconds and it is back to the laser. The cure all that ends all marketing of the laser is probably not true. At least not for me. Thanks for sharing your experiences the info moves up all forward.

I did my first significant case of reverse bevel gingivectomy yesterday with the biolase. It was easy and I can see it will improve our results in those deeper pockets. I seem to get good results at 1.5w pre set with a G6 tip somewhat defocused. Just close enough to cut. Little to no bleeding and no charing. The tissue seemed to look good when I was done. I wish I had one those slick camera systems to share my beginnings.
Pat

Bob,
Your words of wisdom are always so great, thanks for all you do for us “newbie” laser users!
Mark

I took the Proficiency course just before I bought my lasers. Given my patient base, I thought it was important to have the paper on the wall. Most of the people at the course had been using their lasers for a long time.

Janet

Ron and All,
I use a comprehensive non surgical approach where we  apply everything we know to best effect.  We work toward top quality oral hygiene before we begin and every step of the way.

We pretreat with an antimocrobial for one to two weeks prior to sc/rp.   This reduces inflammation, sensitivity, soften calculus and greatly reduces bleeding during sc/rp.  We don’t really root plane as in  the olden days but get the roots as free of calculus as possible. We try to complete sc/rp phase in care in two successive days.  We continue with the antibacterial for four additional weeks of healing and follow up by the hygienist, then the good doctor evaluates, usually I check and rescale any pockets still over 4mm and reassess the total picture.  I then rediagnose and retreatment plan and this is where I am inserting the laser for any pockets of 5 millimeters or more.  I am opening the pockets by beveling so the irrigant can reach deeper into the pocket area.  I reduce the pocket height where possible to four millimenters or less.  In many of these cases we use special periodontal appliances to deliver the irrigant at night and along with a daytime protocol so we get nearly 24 hours of tissue contact each day.  A problem for the appliances is pumping the irrigant into pockets were the gingivitis has reduced and created a purse sting effect at the collar trapping the infection within the pocket so the laser should open this up and help us out.  Since I just started I have nothing to report as to results but should have some early impressions soon as I have done two cases this week.

Three of us Biolase users are following a similar protocol.  One was a speaker at the Dana Point meeting but not on perio.  We have taken training through the Xerostomia Society which is the source of the product and appliances.  http://WWW.drymouthdentistry.com
Pat

Glenn,
I confess I do have a Kodak D290 with a ring flash.  I use to daily for facial  pics  and anterior cosmetic views but haven’t used the flash.  I need to applying myself to learning how to take pictures and all the stuff you do.  I have had a picture of myself for a few weeks for this board but have not done anything with it due to lack of experience in this area.  Just one more mountain to climb.

Bob, thanks for the back up and additions
Pat

Hey Ron, How do I get more “red dots” and become a full memeber! I notice people are passing me up!
Mark

Thanks Bob,
I’ll come see you at the ALD meeting and see what we can work out.