Above selected quote from Schalter is my motto.

Some people think anyone using a laser in dentistry is a quack. For this reason we need to be very careful in what we report. I once had a dentist literally get in my face and challenge me with questions even though my use of dental lasers is very conservative. In my opinion this is a scientifically-based forum and should remain that way.

How about creating a category on the forum for “LLLT/HLLT” or “Alternative” or “Investigational” or “Biostimulation” uses of lasers in dentistry?

Ron and Bob,
I am treating a 60+ woman for a very similar dysesthesia. 11yrs duration after a number of implants were placed in mandible. Dr said he damaged the IAN while placing the one in the mand left first molar region. Patient has had no feeling from second bi area to center of chin and gets a severe “electric shock” when touching the gingiva in the bi area. I have treated her 6 times now, 7000-8500j per. The “shocks” stopped after teh first tx and she has an approx 8mm wide area distal to the midline that extends up to the lip and toward the corner of her mouth that still feel numb. She can now put lipstick on and drink normally and is unbelievably happy. I have been treating the entire length of the IAN with additional time on the hot spots near her chin.

So all, it does seem to work in some unbelievable situations.

Are you charging the patient or is it just good will? If you charge, what ins. codes do you use? It is definitely worth a charge. This a tremendous service to a patient that has suffered for a long time. Congratulations on your success!
Matt Brink

Hi Danny (Kevin?)–

To All:  Danny’s is NOT anti-laser.  Danny is pro-patient, pro-tooth salvation, pro-bone preservation.  I wish every periodontist luminary was as “ant-laser” as Danny is……..;)

It was a good course for us, thank you.  We had a dozen attendees contact us in the days after the meeting, and a few of them have signed up since.  So thank you for that opportunity.

When I talk about “changing the standard of care”, I am talking about the treatment of infectious/inflammatory periodontal disease by regeneration versus ressection, following sound biologic and physiologic principles.

I was so impressed (as was Ray Yukna) with Danny’s course content and “reverse crown lengthening” (among other key perio concepts) that I included some of Danny’s photos in our Day 4 lecture yesterday.

I agree completely with the statement, “The Periolase is great but just another instrument in the overall treatment of patients. It is not a cure all but can be extremely beneficial when used properly but not so beneficial when not. ”  

I would add that it is a remarkable instrument for reasons unique to laser photo-biology and photo-physiology–such as the release of growth factors in tissue following laser irradiation.

That’s why we have 3 days of training before we ship the Periolase, and then have a Day 4 at 6 months and Day 5 at 12 months.

I’d like to hear from some Day 4 graduates to tell their experience and the difference that Day 4 has compared to the first 3 days.  Day 4 is a continuation, intensification, sophistication and expansion of laser principles and perio biology/physiology.

Day 5 expands these concepts further.  Day 5 attendees can’t believe how much more they learn after 4 intensive days of trainining–so they ask when Day 6 is………..

“You can’t see this stuff enough”

Danny helping tremendously with all his energy and resources (personally and professionally) in the effort to push the current standard of care away from tooth extraction and “Ticture of Titanium” and towards tooth and bone preservation.

“Respect biology and biology will respect you.” — Danny Melker

Thanks again Danny for your “anti-laser” stance!!

Bob

Yeah it is kind of dead in here but here is something that might be worth discussing:

Noticed on Dental Town Dr. van As reported an anectodotal finding that his erbium frenectomies seem to heal faster than diode frenectomies. Not real sure yet due to low numbers but possibly seeing a trend along those lines.

Have a once a week Friday or Saturday stint in a large group practice where have been transporting my 810nm diode for various procedures. Frenectomies with the diode take more time than the erbium particularly when I get down to the attachment fibers. They do seem to heal slower than the erbium frenectomies performed in my office. On the other hand they bleed less. Did one the other day where patient never bled a drop.

We have such outstanding success using the diode laser for crown/bridge retraction that I’m beginning to wonder if the diode laser is better suited for these very fine surgical applications. Since my diode laser is basically always ON, even when “pulsed(gated)”, I’m thinking the longer application time to complete the frenectomy results in a greater overall heat dose to the treatment site. Perhaps this results in more collateral damage and longer healing period. Diode setting has been Continous Wave to 10Hz Gated and 1.5-2.0 Watts with an initiated 400micron fiber.

Maybe the truly pulsed erbium with inherently high peak power and rapid cutting of high water content soft tissue results in lower overall energy dose?

Nd:YAG frenectomists wanna chime in?