Well thanks Glenn and Pat.  Nice of you to kindly comment and glad you like it.

Glenn, the animation has been up on our website now for about a year.  

The animation is something we give to our customers on a CD-ROM to use for patient education, or TV interviews, or lectures, or any personal use like that.

Pat!  Have I got a case to show you….I just need to upload the photos for you.  Give me a little while and I’ll have it done later today.

Thanks for the kind feedback!

Bob

Okey Dokey Alan, I’ll keep that in mind!

Thanks for the compliment. Glad you like the beard. My wife doesn’t want me to shave it.

Are you going to head up to Destin next week for the ALD?

Bob

Hi neighbor!!!!

I think the Erbium laser would work fine for tori removal although I’ve never tried. I have done a few crown lengthening procedures and the Erbium ablates bone efficiently. However, these were “closed” crown lengthenings where no surgical flap was reflected. Of course, there is no reason we can’t reflect a flap and then use the Erbium to remove osseous.

My thought is that for a tori removal, one would have to reflect a flap to allow proper access to the torus and also to provide an exit route for the dislodged torus. Keep in mind that the Erbium laser is an air discharging device and there might be a slight risk of air embolism underneath the flap. I’m not sure what is the actual rate of air embolism underneath a reflected flap. Although I have surgical handpieces, I have done thousands of surgical procedures over the years with conventional, air-discharging high speed turbines and never had an air embolism.

But I hear if you get one it’s a real pain in the ass. Guess that’s why they call it the Practice of Dentistry, he he he!!!!!!

Al

Hi Guys:

A couple of weeks ago Glenn and I were discussing the “hydrokinetic” theory. This was prior to Glenn sending me Dr. Hibst’s article.

I ran some tests in my office on extracted teeth using an Er,Cr: YSGG laser. Turned off the water but not the air. I found that the Erbium laser ablated enamel and dentin efficiently without a water spray.

However, I did not feel that the ablation rate was as rapid as what I see in the mouth using a water spray on vital teeth. Is it possible that my observations could be explained by the presumption that a vital tooth in the mouth would have a higher water content than extracted teeth sitting in a jar of water?

Please feel free to rip me apart as you guys are so far ahead of me on basic laser science.

Has a study ever been conducted comparing ablation rate with an Erbium laser on vital vs. endodontically treated teeth?

Al

Pat and anyone else who wants the truth:

Let me give you an example of what can go wrong with an Erbium laser after your one year warranty:

At approximately 18 months of service I was presented with the fact that my flashlamp, pumping chamber and laser rod had failed. I was given two options:

1) Repair the laser for &#368000.

2) Purchase an extended service contract for &#363800 which would take care of the repair and also cover any further problems for 12 months.

One of my big “beefs” is there was no discussion of long term maintenance costs on the Erbium at the time of sale. Some of the blame has to be placed on myself for being stupid and not asking about long term maintenance when I purchased the laser. Personally, I think it would be in the best interest of dental laser companies to be forthright and discuss service contracts at the time of sale.

Look at it this way. When you go to Best Buy and purchase one of these fancy HDTV’s for your SuperBowl Party they tell you right up front this is a high-tech device that is going to require maintenance. Laser dental companies could learn a trick or two from retailers – you aren’t buying a toaster.

Al

Jetsfan,
I find the explorer to be effective.  I do my best to remove all plaque materials from the groves and pits before using the Diagnodent and I never use any polishing materials.  I have adjusted my numbers to provide nearly 100 percent positives when I restore so what I do works for me.   Our hygienist may polish first and will often have used the various automatic aids like a prophy jet and if the lesion is not obvious I double check it with my machine.
Pat

Bob and Jeff:

Welcome to Ron’s Forum Dr. Cranksa!!!!! I enjoyed your article in February 2003 Dental Town. The great thing about this forum is the professionalism and the manner in which colleagues treat one another.

I would like to pose a question and in no way am I trying to be a smartass or critical. In the Dental Town hard copy article, is it possible that Photos 3 and 4 were transposed?

The reason I ask is because in your description of Photo 4 you Note: no shrinkage or recession of gingiva. I think the publisher just transposed the photos.

Thanks for your help and welcome!!!!!

Al