Al, Thanks for the heads up. I had no clue about a service contact. Would have been nice to know at the time of sale. It is my fault but being a dentist friendly company you think they would have informed us!!
David

Has anyone tried the faceshields?
How about just getting the lens and having someone cut a fit them to your loops? Sound hard but a good optical tech should be able to do it.
DAvid

Bob,
Saw you pictures after my note on the weeping pulp. What can I say. This is outstanding. Anyone in the Michigan/Wisconsin area routinely using this process?
Pat

Glenn,

I haven’t placed conventional sealants in the last 2-3 years.

When I’m restoring  part of a tooth I have been using flowable in the deep grooves on the remainder of the tooth if there is no discoloration and very low Diagnodent numbers(after laser etch or air abrasion).

In the last couple months, if there is no restorative planned for the tooth but I still feel a sealant is warranted, I place Fuji Triage.

If there is decay around a sealant ,I remove the sealant when treating the decay and do one of the above along with the restoration.

Its sometimes difficult to tell around old sealants if the sealant is just stained or there is decay starting. This is another place the higher power loupes seem to help.

Opusdent makes the OpusDuo……..check it out. Benchwarmer (alias Jeff Cranska -sp?) has one and can probably put you in touch with the company.

Ask Ray Tang about the stability of the parent company Lumenis for OpusDent, lately it has been an issue.

Talking to someone who recently tried the Opus he mentioned to Tom Haney from Con Bio that in his opinion the Opus cut the best through enamel but there are other issues with the delivery system , maintenance of the unit which may be of a concern to some.

Regardless, check it out with the Con Bio and Biolase and compare and contrast.

Glenn

You’re welcome Pat,

I really think that case you described should respond by laying down secondary dentin.  I’ve done that type of laser pulp cap many times, and I can’t think of one that failed.

I can appreciate what you are saying about LPT/Periolase.

Dr. Cliff Auten in Whitney Texas (2 hours outside of Waco) charges &#36500 per quad and was able to cost justify the purchase 4 years ago.

On average, accross the country, our docs are charging &#36850 per quad.  That’s 24 patients pay-back.

Another way to look at it–What do you charge to save ONE tooth with an RCT, Post/BU, PFM?.  Don’t you think patients are willing to pay that fee to save a quadrant of teeth?

As a GP, I was surprised how willing, anxious, eager patients were to have performed–and PAY for –laser perio if it was a defined alternative to cut ‘n sew.

In fact, I have seen more green CASH money from unisured patients from South Central LA (of LA riot fame–I’m a few miles away), than I ever saw before.
Do a survey of your patients.  I can send you a sample I used 12 years ago to convince me of my patient base’s interest in lasers–it was nearly 100% positive response rate, and that was before we had a defined LPT to offer.

Don’t forget that for the past 4 years, we have offered a 6 month money back guarantee on the results and practice applicability to YOUR satisfaction, not mine or MDT’s.  NONE of our dentists have turned their laser back in for a 100% refund.  In fact, I have (albeit jokingly) offered to buy their PerioLase back for double the price they paid…..and was refused every time!  Call me and I’ll give you names of docs to call that match your concerns.  Their testimonials are not paid for, and willingly offered.

Bob

(Edited by Robert Gregg DDS at 11:18 am on Mar. 1, 2003)

Thanks for your help Bob and Glenn. I think I’m starting to get the picture.

Glenn, I’ve seen the charring you mentioned when playing around with different water settings. That’s a good idea you proposed.

Al