Going Wireless With Laser Dentistry

Although Patel's practice, Advanced Dentistry of Lenoir, is a general dentistry practice, ever since he discovered his passion for implants, he has spent most of his time working on full-arch implant cases, and the more day-to-day general dentistry has fallen to his associate. "I began with denture stabilization in 2008," Patel says. "That was my first implant experience, and I became intrigued and wondered why I had not been exposed to implant dentistry sooner." According to Patel, implants were not a part of the curriculum at his alma mater, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, while he was in dental school. However, he soon found other sources of education to get himself up to speed. "I fell in love with it," Patel says. "First, I attended the American Academy of Implant Dentistry's MaxiCourse^® at Augusta University in Georgia, then I completed the courses at the Misch International Implant Institute and became a fellow, and then I became a diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, so it was a love at first sight kind of thing."

For Patel, using the best products from industry-leading manufacturers is important. "We want to know that a product has been well thought out before being released," he says. "We do not want to have to redo work." As a company that was recognized as a leader in restorative, endodontic, and power instruments, Brasseler had already earned Patel's confidence regarding the care that it invests in developing all of its products. Therefore, when Patel's team started looking into purchasing a diode laser, choosing the BLU^™ Microlaser from Brasseler was a no-brainer. "We just got tired of our existing laser's wire, foot pedal wire, and cart that had to be dragged from room to room," he says. "Brasseler offered exactly what we had been looking for: a pen-like device that did not require a cumbersome unit to be moved back and forth from room to room to support it. Assistants can literally just grab the BLU Microlaser and carry it into the room where it is needed."

The BLU Microlaser has 12 preset settings, so there is no need to pull out a device manual or a clinical textbook to determine the correct settings for treatments. "If, for example, you are uncovering an implant, there is a setting for that," Patel notes. "Similarly, if you are performing a frenectomy, there is a setting for that as well." Patel emphasizes the convenience of having all of the controls located on the laser pen itself. "You do not need to hook it up to a computer or use another device to choose your settings," he says.

In addition, the BLU Microlaser is lightweight and has tips that come in two different lengths, 5 mm and 7 mm, to suit the procedure or depth needed. The tips are also disposable, which prevents cross contamination. "It is like anything else," Patel says. "You would not want to use a heavy handpiece, so why would you want to use a heavy laser? Why would you want to be dragging around wires that have to constantly be wrestled with just to keep everything untangled? Our previous wired laser was just no longer ergonomically friendly." The BLU Microlaser comes with everything necessary to operate it in the box, including safety glasses for the patient, dentist, and assistant as well as an extra battery so that you don't have to wait for the device to recharge. "You're getting something that is well thought out," Patel says. "You do not get nickel-and-dimed for ancillary pieces."

Patel's practice uses the BLU Microlaser for everything from scaling and root planning to surgical procedures. He explains that using a laser is less traumatic to the tissue than a scalpel blade or an electrosurge, and it cuts and cauterizes at the same time. "If you are using a blade, you are going to cut, but you are not going to cauterize the tissue along the way," he says. "With a laser, we can use minimal anesthesia and there is very little postoperative discomfort, so from the patient's perspective, it is quick and relatively painless."

Implementing a laser can also open up opportunities to perform procedures that general dentists would otherwise not be able to perform. For example, Patel uses the laser during scaling and root planing to debride and sterilize the sulcus, which he says cannot be achieved with traditional scaling and root planing techniques. "The laser can also be used to break up some of the calculus deposits by transferring energy into the sulcus before the hygienist scales," he says. "As far as I am aware, there is nothing that I can do mechanically to achieve that result ahead of time." Patel also likes to use lasers to treat aphthous ulcers, which he says is more cost-effective and efficient when compared with other treatment options. "Those are a few procedures right there that you can bill for where you would otherwise be leaving money on the table," he notes. With the BLU Microlaser, Patel's efficiency has been improved and he has been empowered to deliver implant dentistry that is more comfortable for both the patient and the clinician.

Key Points
The BLU Microlaser is a lightweight pen-like laser that does not require a connection to a computer or other ancillary device to operate.
The laser comes with 12 preset settings and disposable tips in two lengths.
Lasers are more efficient and less traumatic to the tissue than a scalpel blade or electrosurge.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Brasseler USA
brasselerusadental.com
800-841-4522