5 Frequent Asked Questions For Beginner Dental Laser Users

Dental lasers are a relatively novel treatment approach in dentistry – they still have not spread widely, but their technical advantages attract more professionals daily.

New dental laser users have many questions, but there is a high probability they won't find an experienced clinician to answer them. Due to this, Dr. Angine Wallance – a dental hygienist with over 35 years of experience and an Academy of Laser Dentistry member – published a short laser FAQ for beginners in her DentistryIQ column.

What can I treat with the laser?

Well, you can enhance a wide range of procedures with your new tool, including:

laser-assisted periodontal therapy
laser bacterial reduction
teeth desensitizing
aphthous ulcers
herpetic lesions
hemostasis.

There are two things that are limiting you – your education and training before the particular procedures and the law regulations. Some countries may restrict the list of operations that could be performed with dental lasers, and you need to check it on local healthcare authority websites. The US, for instance, has an Academy of Laser Dentistry list with dental laser usage permission.

Are laser factory settings enough to treat periodontal disease?

If you just started your laser journey after an introductory user course, manufacturers' presets may be helpful in understanding how the beal interacts with tissues. Still, if you want to master your methods in the future, you need to "read the tissue" and make suggestions based on your clinical experience about which settings are preferable for certain types of tissues.

Additionally, constantly improving your communication through courses and masterclasses is essential.

Will a laser help to treat a lesion in a day?

Definitely no. Laser treatment can only improve tissue's regeneration features but not heal it directly. While dental lasers can significantly enhance this process – for instance, it requires only 3-5 days except 10-14, the lesion still needs to go through the same regeneration as it does without the tool.

Is it safe to use a laser around the dental implant?

Yes, if you use a diode laser and use it right. The most important part is to avoid the implant's body heating. Make sure the laser is directed toward the tissue, and do not spend much time in the pocket because you can warm up the implant or the bone where it is placed.

Can patients just close their eyes instead of using the glasses?

This is unacceptable! Safety glasses are the ultimate safety standard not only for your patient but for you as a dentist and possibly your assistant (if they operate in the hazard zone defined in your dental laser manual). It's not crucial which provider you choose – just search which option you have in your region and pick the most dependable company.

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