David, Good Post. Thanks for shareing your journey with us. The things that you say only confirm the idea that when you have a vision for your life and the passon to fulfill it, that it creates an energy that’s unstoppabled. This laser stuff is really cool, your points of view help all the rest of us on our individual journeys. Don’t let the hurricanes get you. Nick

Allen–

Pulse duration (time) approximately = zone/dimension (in microns) of thermal effect.

100 usec PD (time) approx = 100 microns (dimensional) zone of thermal effect

250 usec approx = 250 microns

etc……

So you are correct about your assumptions.  One needs to be well trained/cautioned about using long PD in thin tissue/bone–like around anterior teeth vs bulky mandibular bone.

“Wet” hemostasis is a red thrombus that also contains fibrin.  We also refer to it as a “stable fibrin clot” as such:

3 minutes immediately post op extraction and 650 usec long pulse duration (with one suture on the mesial due to torn tissue).  NOTE:  the grey fibrin strands coarsing through the clot, and the areas of thrombi.

Thanks for the great question.

Bob

(Edited by Robert Gregg DDS at 12:25 am on July 22, 2005)

Here’s a start, Matt.

http://www.rwebstudio.com/cgi-bin….opic=12

Matt:

While I’ve never done this, I’ve seen some cases presented and believe it is possible to remove ceramic veneers with erbium lasers.

I do not believe current erbium lasers can cut porcelain as none of my bench tests showed any effect. However, both of my erbium lasers cut modern day composite like butter. My theory is erbium wavelength can partially transmit through thin ceramic veneers and be readily absorbed by the underlying composite cement. Microfractures then propagate througout the composite cement and the veneer is dislodged.

Not sure why we would want to reuse the veneer but in theory I think it might be possible to remove a veneer without damaging the porcelain. Actually, now that I’m thinking, occasionally one gets a veneer stuck on in the wrong position so perhaps this would be an indication.

Hope this helped,

Al

Hi Matt,

I have removed veneers with my erbium (2940 DELight). I believe Al’s hypothesis is accurate. The porcelain then had microfractures propagating and ceramic pieces came off. Not all of it came loose though and a high speed handpiece was also used. As you can imagine, their not rebonded.
Vince