Dental Lasers - The Right Questions, The Right Technology

Why it’s about a lot more than wavelength

Using a laser in dentistry? What a novel idea? NOT!! (as is commonly said). Go back 15 years or so and the same thing was said about lasers in ophthalmology. Now, what ophthalmologist doesn’t routinely perform laser procedures? Very few, indeed. What percent of the lay public knows that laser eye procedures are available? Ninety percent-plus? We are seeing lasers commonly being used in dermatology, urology, and many other medical specialties as well. We are on the verge of this same phenomenon becoming the reality in the practice of dentistry.

Most dental professionals, as well as many of our patients, are being bombarded with information about the benefits of both hard and soft tissue lasers. Just open up any dental – or even non-dental – journal over the past year and you will notice an increasing number of articles about this technology. Even three years ago, there were very few of these dental laser articles except in certain dental peer review journals.

Ok, dental lasers are here to stay. They’re not a fad. They’re not a passing fancy in the profession. Why do I say that?

1. 17 dental schools in the US have lasers in their schools and teach laser procedures to their undergraduate dental students.
2. 36 states (approximately) allow dental hygienists to perform laser procedures.
3. The volume of quality, clinical based evidence/protocols for the dramatically successful use of dental lasers has exploded.
4. The number of excellent quality beginning and advanced laser training courses has significantly expanded as well.
5. The number of dentists who are adopting laser technology is rapidly increasing.
6. The number of companies that are manufacturing AND advertising different dental lasers is growing each day.
7. Most importantly, a growing number of patients are beginning to learn about and, therefore, seek out, dental offices where laser procedures are performed.

So we, as dental professionals, are faced with these questions:

• Is this the time for me to purchase or begin to consider bringing dental laser technology into my practice?
• What are the factors to rely on or reasons that apply to me and my team making that decision?

Better stated, what are the right questions to ask and what are the right reasons to adopt this technology?

The right questions

I propose you ask the following question before you do anything else: “What do I want in my life?” This may seem a very odd question for those of us who have pushed through dental school and maybe a post-doctoral program, went into practice immediately, started a family, etc., because that is the path we took because…well…we just took that path. I, as well as many of you, am a “linear thinker,” i.e. someone who likes to move steadily from point A to point B to point C. This preference works well in most situations, but it can result in many of us not stepping back to answer the bigger questions to help us clarify our values, priorities, and overall values. Maybe by considering whether to incorporate lasers into our practice, we might finally stop our linear thought processes and actually ask AND answer this important question of life planning.

I can speak only for myself. My answers were related to my quality of life both within and outside of my practice.

• I considered stress reduction as a primary goal for me in the office. Lower stress inside the office always spreads to my lower stress in my “outside life.”
• I always had seen as critical the need to enhance my enthusiasm about dentistry so that coming to work each day was challenging, yet fun. The happiness I felt each day getting up to go to work made (and makes) each precious day I have to live that much richer.
• I knew that by continuing to follow my personal mission of serving my patients/community with “the best that dentistry can provide” NOT just “the best that I can provide,” I achieved peace of mind plus a great sense of personal joy both inside and outside of the operatory.

What do you want?

I would suggest that at this point that you take out a piece of paper, write down your answers/thoughts in response to this question, “What do you want in your life?” Got that done? Good! Put it up where you can see it each and every day.

Now, you can step back and see how dental lasers will fit into your life plan.

A laser, like any technology, is just a box. How that box fits with your overall life plan, how it can help you reach your goals is what makes it valuable. If, at this point in your life, a dental laser is just another thing to learn, but will take time away from what you really want to do in your life, now is not the time for you to adopt this technology. Who cares if others are buying it? Dental lasers are not for you. BUT if purchasing a dental laser makes sense because it fits for you and your life plan, then go to the next step.

Reasons for purchase

I have had the opportunity to speak with many dentists and team members about laser technology both in and out of the lecture room. I have continually said, “Find the reasons or applications that make sense to you and, if there are enough, then adopt the technology.” I can only tell you what made me make my own decision. A manufacturer’s representative can only tell you what the unit can do and what others have experienced.

What might your reasons be to implement laser technology? Here are a few to consider.

1. Improved patient care through:
   1. Significantly reduced post treatment discomfort and swelling;
   2. Reduced use of injectable local anesthetic;
   3. Reduced time to accomplish certain procedures with same or greater
   4. Enhanced clinical outcomes.
       
2. Improved financial bottom line:
   1. Greater efficiency: more procedures per hour and per appointment with equal or greater quality;
   2. Adding procedures that you did not previously do or were eliminated in recent years;
   3. Practice growth through additional new patients; and
   4. Greater acceptance of treatment due to factors listed in No. 1.
       
3. Non-Financial benefits:
   1. Enhanced excitement about dentistry for Dentist and team members;
   2. A new learning challenge;
   3. Reduced stress in the day due to:
      1. greater predictability of clinical procedures;
      2. ability to stay on schedule; and
   4. Dentistry is just more fun!

Do enough of these reasons fit you personally and professionally to move on to purchase? If so, NOW you are ready to begin your research to determine which laser unit is right for you.

Determining the right unit

I can always tell when I meet practitioners who have chosen to incorporate dental lasers into their practice for the right reasons. Here are some key indicators:

• They have made the commitment to take the time it takes to learn the technology and have continued that learning process. They ask lots of questions and take lots of courses.
• If they sense a problem with their unit or clinical technique, they will stay with it until the problems are solved. They do not put it aside to become a very expensive plant stand.
• They use their laser every day all day long.
• They have maximized their investment through financial as well as the non-financial benefits of the technology.

I challenge you to look at your life plan. I challenge you to look at your reasons to incorporate dental lasers into your practice. Having met those challenges, you are ready to either find the laser that is right for you or decide to look at something else that will be a better fit.

It is your life. It is your practice. It is your future. Make your decisions for the right reasons and then GO FOR IT!