Training Is Key To Unlocking Lasers’ Full Potential
From growing new bone and soft tissue in periodontitis patients to facilitating analgesia-free operative dentistry, lasers are truly magnificent devices—but only if dentists are well trained on how to use them. Here, Dr. Robert A. Convissar, a Diplomate in the American Board of Laser Surgery, shares what to expect from laser technology and how dentists can use the devices to their full potential.
Q: Why is it disappointing that lasers, introduced for the GP in 1989, are still not ubiquitous in dental offices?
A: Virtually every survey of laser dentistry has shown tremendous patient acceptance rates of laser treatments. Less bleeding due to their coagulative ability, less need for antibiotics, less need for pain medication, and less need for analgesia are just some of the many benefits of laser dentistry. From literally growing new bone and soft tissue in periodontitis and peri-implantitis patients, to analgesia-free operative dentistry, to releasing tongue ties on 3-day-old babies who cannot nurse, lasers are magnificent devices.
Q: Considering the benefits and applications of lasers, why are they not more commonly used in dentistry?
A: Dentists who learn about laser dentistry through a webinar will never utilize their device to its fullest potential. This is one of the reasons that lasers are not more common. Too many dentists purchase lasers that end up sitting on a shelf in a closet, never to see the light of day, because he or she was not correctly trained on how to use it.
Q: What’s the best way for clinicians to learn about and begin using a laser in their practice?
A: No matter which type of laser you plan to use, the key to getting the most bang for your buck with the technology is training. In my opinion, the minimum training necessary for any dentist to get the maximum ROI on this technology is 3 days—a 2-day comprehensive participation course that includes at least a dozen hands-on procedures on pig mandibles, followed up by a full-day in-office session on the day the laser is installed. This should be led by a dentist who actually uses the device, rather than a salesperson who has never used it on a real patient.
Visit www.fullspectrumseminars.com for more laser dentistry insights from Dr. Convissar and information about training and certification.