Choosing the right dental laser for your practice

Decades ago, when dental lasers were first introduced, there were a few pioneers using the technology on a regular basis. Many of those early users were the same group of dentists who helped start a push for minimally invasive dentistry. Adoption was slow for a number of reasons. High costs for hard-tissue lasers back in the day scared off many clinicians, while others were concerned by the learning curve and a perceived limited number of indications.

But these concerns have all long since been addressed. Today’s lasers are much easier to use and much more affordable, and studies have backed the benefits of using lasers for a growing number of procedures. So take a look in the following pages at some of the lasers available; whether you’re thinking about an all-tissue laser or a soft-tissue model, these lasers offer a variety of costs, sizes and capabilities.

Read more on lasers: 5 things you need to know about laser dentistry

Up next: Choose the dental laser that's right for you! 

LiteTouch

The LiteTouch All-Tissue Laser is described as easy to use, affordable and an award-winning addition for any practice. Said to be half the size, weight and price of other hard tissue lasers, it allows practices to offer the most state-of-the-art technology available. The LiteTouch is well-suited for cavity preparations, osseous surgery, periodontal treatment, endodontic procedures, implant recovery, peri-implantitis treatment and soft tissue surgery.

LiteTouch Testimonial

The two biggest fears patients of all ages have about having dental treatment performed is having to “get the shot” (local anesthetic) and the sound and feel of the drill. This is especially true in children and may make people avoid getting care at the earliest stages of tooth decay. AMD LASERS’ LiteTouch laser allows treatment for tooth decay to be a more comfortable experience, eliminating in most cases the need for the shot and also the feel and sound of the drill. It is able to make receiving treatment a more comfortable experience while improving the quality of care we can provide to our patients-Gregori M. Kurtzman, DDS.

AMD LASERS

866-999-2635

amdlasers.com

Picasso

Picasso is designed for both dentist and hygienist in mind. It’s described as simple to use, looks great and is a popular choice around the world. Picasso dental lasers are engineered to provide the ultimate tool for treating soft tissue procedures. From laser gingevectomies, better impressions through laser gingival troughing, safe implant recovery or laser periodontal treatment, Picasso soft tissue lasers are designed to provide the most effective and affordable solution for every dental office.

Picasso Laser Testimonial

Eight years ago I took the leap into diode lasers with the Picasso Lite laser. I immediately observed improvements and tissue response was exceptional due to the diode’s cutting effect on less cell depth then electrosurgery, and patients routinely indicated no post-operative discomfort following treatment. The laser energy stimulated tissue response, so sites healed at a more rapid rate without inflammation. This laser has changed how I practice, allowing me to manipulate soft tissue with better, predictable results when modifying for esthetic reasons or needing to expose subgingival decay to restore those areas-Gregori M. Kurtzman, DDS.

AMD LASERS

866-999-2635

amdlasers.com

Waterlase iPlus

The Waterlase iPlus, BIOLASE’s flagship all-tissue laser, offers dentists the enhanced benefits of completing many common dental procedures with minimally invasive laser energy combined with a fine water spray to gently remove hard- and soft-tissue. The latest model now incorporates REPAIR Perio and REPAIR Implant, two power laser-based protocols for managing early-to-moderate periodontitis and peri-implantitis in a general dental setting. Both protocols leverage the gentle removal of diseased tissue and calculus. For tooth cutting, the Waterlase iPlus helps to eliminate the microfractures associated with traditional dental drills as well as thermal damage and cross-contamination risks. Additionally, the laser’s precision reportedly allows minimally invasive treatment with less removal of healthy tooth structure and soft tissue. For soft-tissue, the Waterlase iPlus ablates the target tissue layer by layer, which-according to the literature-enables dentists to perform oral surgeries with dynamic tissue response, less bleeding and faster healing.

BIOLASE

(888) 424-6527  

biolase.com

Precise LTM

CAO Group is a manufacturer of high-technology dental products and equipment in West Jordan, Utah. The Precise LTM diode laser system shows CAO Group’s commitment to customer care by providing many ways to engage with the team through free online training videos, phone support and more. Daily challenges of creating homeostasis, taking impressions, working around implants and much more reportedly are made easy with laser technology providing every practice with an easier, faster and better solution for improved patient care. The Precise® diode laser is designed to have something for everyone. The Precise LTM is a workhorse unit that is said to be cost effective at roughly $1.50 per use, which is reportedly among the lowest cost-per-use laser systems on the market. The Precise SHP is compact, convenient and expands procedure menus with its iPod touch precise setting, access to support and tutorials, pre-sterilized tips and 21 presets.

CAO Group

877-236-4408

caogroup.com

Solea

Solea® is the first and only laser that can cut any tissue with a single-setting. Its software is said to be so easy to use that any dentist can become a laser dentist. The one-setting-fits-all-approach works for tooth structure as well as bone and soft tissue, enabling any dentist to reliably deliver anesthesia-free, blood-free, suture-free and pain-free results. The user turns it on, directs the beam at the desired tissue and steps on the variable speed foot pedal. With Solea, dentists experience dramatic efficiency gains, perform multi-quadrant dentistry and can now offer soft tissue procedures that are often referred out.

Convergent Dental

1-844-GO-SOLEA

convergentdental.com

NV PRO3 Microlaser

The NV Microlaser has been widely recognized for its convenience, portability and ease-of-use amongst dental soft-tissue diode lasers. The next-generation NV PRO3 Microlaser maintains the same features and ergonomic design as the NV, plus a redesigned lithium-ion battery with overcharge and undercharge protection, software updates and improvements, and additional preset procedural settings. This latest evolution in cordless soft-tissue lasers is now optimized for periodontal, restorative and orthodontic needs, designed to enable dentists to deliver the benefits of laser dentistry to a broader range of patient types, with ease.

DenMat

800-4DENMAT (800-433-6628)

denmat.com

LightWalker ATS

The LightWalker family of lasers offers a range of real applications for today’s dentistry and the true utility dentists demand for their practices now, and in the future. With high-speed tipped and tipless handpieces, the clinical options are reportedly expanded beyond traditional dentistry. LightWalker is engineered to provide simplicity of use while maintaining a high standard of dental treatments such as: endodontics, implantology, periodontics, conservative dentistry, soft tissue surgery, esthetic treatments, snore and sleep, and facial esthetics. Also, NIGHTLASE® is a fast, non-invasive way of increasing the quality of a patient’s sleep, using the Fotona LightWalker in conjunction with a proprietary protocol and handpiece. Er:YAG laser energy is used to heat the tissues of the soft palate, causing a tightening effect which helps to keep the patient’s airway open.

Fotona Ultra Performance Lasers

972-598-9000

fotona.com

LightScalpel

LightScalpel is dedicated to providing dentists with the best and most cost-effective soft-tissue CO2 surgical laser solutions. LightScalpel soft-tissue lasers are the tool of choice in numerous dental procedures, such as frenectomy, vestibuloplasty, biopsies, gingivectomy, gingivoplasty, soft-tissue crown lengthening, fibroma removal, sulcular debridement, aphthous and herpetic lesions treatment, and more. LightScalpel is an FDA-registered, American-based designer and manufacturer of CO2 dental lasers and accessories. LightScalpel laser technology has its roots in Luxar technology; introduced in 1991 as the first ever soft-tissue surgical CO2 laser, Luxar was designed specifically for a small office environment. LightScalpel has further advanced the technology through a variety of breakthrough improvements in handpieces, laser pulsing, system integration and serviceability.

A unique feature of LightScalpel laser systems is the proprietary hollow waveguide flexible fiber delivery system, which allows dentists to move the laser handpiece unrestrained. LightScalpel’s air-cooled all-metal laser tubes are designed to be durable and long-lasting, ensuring lower maintenance costs. The ability of the LightScalpel’s CO2 laser 10,600 nm wavelength to vaporize water-rich soft tissue is said to make it a true “What You See Is What You Get” laser with maximum precision. Its collateral thermal effects are minimal but sufficient for hemostasis. The CO2 laser is reportedly the only practical soft-tissue surgical laser that uses the laser beam directly to cut, ablate and photo-thermally coagulate the soft tissue. Flexible fiber soft tissue CO2 laser surgery can be easily learned by any skilled dentist. Advances in handpiece technology and fast ROI make CO2 laser surgery enjoyable and affordable as never before.

LightScalpel

866-589-2722

lightscalpel.com

PerioLase® MVP-7™

The PerioLase® MVP-7™ boasts the only FDA clearance for True Regeneration™ -new cementum, new PDL, new alveolar bone! The bone-building LANAP® protocol with the PerioLase MVP-7 has the power to reverse gum disease with a simple, sutureless procedure developed by GPs for GPs and reportedly preferred by patients. The PerioLase MVP-7, an optimized free-running Nd:YAG laser, is designed specifically to perform the high ROI LANAP® and LAPIP™ periodontitis and peri-implantitis treatment protocols, as well as a range of Value Added Procedures (VAPs™) laser applications. Five days of live-patient training and a six-month money-back, clinical results guarantee are included in the package.

Millennium Dental Technologies, Inc.

(888)49-LASER

LANAP.com

Gemini™ 810 + 980

Ultradent Products’ Gemini™ 810 + 980 soft tissue laser is said to be dentistry’s first dual-wavelength soft tissue diode laser with 20 watts of peak super-pulsed power and a stunning, fully transparent electroluminescent display. The unique dual wavelength technology combines the optimal melanin absorption of an 810 nanometer wavelength laser with the optimal water absorption of a 980 nanometer wavelength laser. No matter the procedure, the innovative Gemini laser reportedly makes it faster, smoother and more efficient.

Ultradent Products, Inc.

800-552-5512

ultradent.com

PHOTON PLUS

The Photon series of dental diode lasers is FDA-approved and features a multilingual interface that makes it acceptable to a large number of audiences. The portable power module is also a boon as it can work wirelessly for 3.5-4 hours with battery back-up, designed to make usage easier. The Photon Plus includes high-level security features, with password protection providing security to the users of this product.

The PHOTON PLUS 10 Watt dental diode laser also is designed to keep the customers in mind, so these lasers are said to be gentle and comfortable. Dental diode lasers provide faster healing and no pain than a conventional dental procedure. Additionally, the touch interface and wireless foot pedal make PHOTON PLUS Dental Diode Laser a great option for the operatory. Additionally, the laser features powerful applications: the Photon Plus Dental Diode Laser is a surgical dental device, intended to use for excision, incision, coagulation, removal of fibroma, granulation tissue, soft tissue crown lengthening, canker sores, bleaching, tooth decay, discolorations and oral soft tissue dental procedures.

Zolar Technology

905-593-3605

zolartek.com