Innovator Profile 2015: BIOLASE

Q&A with Dr. Jose Marcano, DMD, Orlando, Fla.

Q: Laser dentistry continues to gain greater acceptance by clinicians while continually realizing improvements in equipment and growing applications in the dental practice. Dental lasers now can be used for surgery, as an alternative to a handpiece, for whitening teeth and more. Can you explain the role of the WaterLase iPlus 2.0 and EPIC™ X in enhancing laser dentistry in your practice?
A: I believe the WaterLase iPlus 2.0 laser is as enhancing to dentistry as the high speed handpiece was when it was first introduced. Both lasers, especially the WaterLase iPlus 2.0 laser, allow a general dentist like me to do several soft- and hard-tissue procedures I wasn’t comfortable doing with traditional tools. It’s so much simpler and convenient for the patient when the laser is used for surgical procedures like gingivectomies, frenectomies, crown lengthenings and perio surgery using the REPaiR™ protocol. Plus, the results are better, and the healing time is much faster for the patient.

Q: Can you explain a little about the technology of both the WaterLase iPlus 2.0 and EPIC X and how they have affected your practice?
A: Both the EPIC X and WaterLase iPlus 2.0 lasers are in the infrared side of the light spectrum. The EPIC X is a diode laser, and the WaterLase iPlus 2.0 is Er,Cr:YSGG laser. This means the EPIC X is great for soft tissue because of the pigmentation (red).The portability of the EPIC X laser allows me to go from room to room in my office without power cords for a quick troughing or crown prep. The pedal is Bluetooth, and the laser runs on a rechargeable battery.

Related reading: BIOLASE announces groundbreaking REPaiR™ protocol at Europerio 8

The WaterLase iPlus 2.0’s technology is very versatile. Its wavelength is tailor-made to be absorbed by water. In the hard tissue part of teeth, the tissue with the most water is decay, then dentin and then enamel. This laser ablation, which is equivalent to tooth cutting, occurs without raising the temperature of the teeth. Because of this technology, I can do cavity preparations on teeth without anesthesia about 85 percent of the time. With the WaterLase iPlus 2.0, I have the ability to change the mode at which the laser fires to fit my needs. It has two ablation modes: one that works better for hard tissue and one that is amazing for controlling bleeding (hemostasis) around the gingiva near a crown prep.

Q: What advantages do using the WaterLase Plus 2.0 and EPIC X offer over traditional dentistry tools?
A. The main advantage the WaterLase iPlus 2.0 laser has is that it allows me the option of not using needles to do cavity preparations. In my practice, we have a lot of patients who are needle-phobic and love the laser because they don’t get the needle for their cavity preps and experience no pain.

Using the WaterLase iPlus 2.0 on hard tissue also eliminates the possibility of micro cracks caused by the dental drill. You also get the benefit of no smear layer (with way less contamination) and a more conservative prep. Electron microscopy pictures of cut teeth show teeth ablated by the laser have no smear layer and look like etched teeth. Also it has been proven that laser-ablated dentin is more acid resistant than dentin cut with the drill.

Both lasers are many steps ahead of traditional tools like the scalpel, drill, electrosurge, etc. when it comes to hemostasis. With the WaterLase iPlus 2.0 and the EPIC X lasers, hemostasis is achieved almost instantly. This really helps-especially when using digital scanners instead of taking impressions.

Related reading: BIOLASE launches first-ever practice growth guarantee

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Q: How have the WaterLase iPlus 2.0 and EPIC X impacted patient perception and care?
A. My patients have embraced laser technology, especially the kids. Kids will do anything to avoid a shot. My pedo patients are quick to learn about the laser and always ask, “You are using the laser, right?”
My practice’s website has a strong emphasis on dental laser, which has attracted a lot of new patients to my practice who are technology-savvy and have investigated the benefits of laser dentistry themselves.

The WaterLase iPlus 2.0 is FDA-cleared for periodontal-assisted new attachment procedures. This means my moderate to severe periodontal patients can benefit from the use of the laser’s REPaiR protocol.

With the WaterLase iPlus 2.0, I can do minimally invasive periodontal surgery that will correct my patients’ problems at a very good comfort level. Using it gives new meaning to 21st century dentistry.

EPIC™ X diode laser
THE MOST PREMIER AND COMPLETE DIODE LASER FOR THE WHOLE DENTAL TEAM
Three treatment modes
The modes include surgery, whitening and pain relief, all of which are said to generate a strong return on investment, create happy customers and provide professional satisfaction.
New on-demand training
Use your EPIC X confidently with comprehensive support and assistance from BIOLASE.
Get to treatment faster
Choose from standard diode laser tips or exclusive pre-initiated tips to begin laser therapy faster than ever.

Related reading: BIOLASE Epic X diode laser is a complete solution for the whole dental team

WaterLase iPlus 2.0 all-tissue laser
THE NEXT GENERATION OF THE WORLD’S MOST-PREFERRED ALL-TISSUE LASER
SureFire™ YSGG Delivery System
The new gold standard in laser delivery technology
New periodontal app-REPaiR™
Treats moderate to severe periodontitis, a common procedure in many dental offices that will benefit from WaterLase-based perio treatment.
Practice Growth Guarantee™
An assurance that WaterLase iPlus 2.0 will make a difference by enhancing the patient experience and generating practice growth through routine use from Day 1.

Watch the video below to learn more about the WaterLase technology:

Related reading: 5 things you need to know about laser dentistry