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Lasers
The Laser Investment...
Kick the Tires
Y
ou do not just buy a laser, you invest in a laser. I
buy a box of breakfast cereal, but I invest in the
stock market, gold, and real estate, all with the
hope of a good return on my investment.
If I am going to make a capital investment in my prac-
tice, I want to make sure it will make money. I don’t need
another toy. I carefully approach these types of invest-
ments because each decision does affect the bottom line.
If you haven’t taken a serious look at lasers for your
PRACTICE BUILDING
practice, it is time. Are lasers for every dentist? I suppose
not, but I personally do not see how you can practice with-
out lasers. There are 3 things that close down my office for
the day: loss of air, loss of vacuum, and loss of laser. My
patients expect and demand lasers for their dentistry.
An all-tissue laser can easily add $250,000 to the
average general dental practice in the first year. That’s a
500% return on investment during the first year of use. I
can’t think of 1 single item that can be added to a dental
practice that will come remotely close to that kind of re-
turn on investment.
Don’t Bury Your Head in the Sand
Most dentists are so confused by lasers; some dentists
find it easier just to ignore the subject rather than even look
at the technology. But the issue is really quiet simple. There
are basically 2 types of lasers that are applicable to the gen-
eral dental office: the soft-tissue and the all-tissue laser.
The most basic and least expensive unit is the soft-tis-
sue or diode laser, which can be used for most soft-tissue
procedures such as gingivectomy, frenectomy, troughing,
L. Don Wilson, DMD
bleaching, and low-level laser therapy (TMD therapy).
The 940-nanometer wavelength is excellent for cutting
soft tissue, decontaminating periodontal pockets, and pro-
vides excellent hemostasis. You can choose between a very
small and portable tabletop unit with bluetooth foot con-
trol and a variety of disposable tips, or the new pocketsize
total units with finger tip activation.
Second, is the all-tissue laser, which a can be used for
soft-tissue procedures (gingivectomy, frenectomy, biopsy,
perio surgery, etc.), osseous procedures (crown lengthen-
2 Dental Learning
ing, torus removal, surgical extractions, etc.), endodontic
procedures (shaping and disinfecting of the root canal
system), and operative procedures (all classification of
cavity preps).
Both lasers can be used for everyday dentistry as well
as the exotic procedures. Many dentists avoid looking
at lasers because of the common misconception that the
learning curve is steep. The diode laser can be mastered
with the included DVD and a1-day training course. The
YSGG laser technique can be learned in the included
2-day training course. As with any advanced technol-
ogy, more CE courses are recommended as your experi-
ence level grows but the basics for everyday dentistry
can easily be mastered.
Best of Both Worlds
The best-case scenario is to have both lasers. I have
both in my office and we use both all day long. Many den-
tists choose to start with the diode because of its simplicity
and economy, but the all-tissue laser is the 1 that can really
change the future of your practice.
When selecting your laser look for ease of operation,
approved procedures, variety in tip selection, dependabil-
ity in the delivery system, choices in handpieces, training,
and support after the sale.
Now do yourself, your practice, and your patients a
favor—get out there and kick the tires!
Dr. L. Don Wilson is a 1978 gradu-
ate of the University of Alabama
School of Dentistry where he received
the Operative Dentistry Award. Dr.
Wilson has been in private practice
for 32 years and has just opened his
newest practice, “Signature Smile” in
Florence, Alabama. He is a trained in-
structor and routine user of both the
ErCr:YSGG and 940 Diode Lasers.
Dr. Wilson has served as one of the featured educators for
laser training at the renowned Las Vegas Institute (LVI) and
he also serves as the Director of Laser Education at the Nash
Institute in Charlotte, NC.
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