How to choose a laser

The benefit of laser use for soft-tissue treatment and management is that treatments are often less invasive, more precise and very conservative, preserving healthy tissue while treating the diseased site.

When evaluating which laser is best, important considerations include: Who will use it? What procedures will be performed? Why will it be beneficial? Where will it be placed? And how will training be done? This simple, “who, what, why, where, when and how” philosophy, seems elementary; yet it is often overlooked during new technology acquisition. Also worthy of investigating are the science of laser physics, the ergonomics and device portability, the type of training, cost and dependability of the manufacturer.

How the laser interacts with tissue is strictly dependent on laser physics. The science does not change from device to device, but the individual properties do. I am often asked, “When will we have one laser that will be the best to do everything?” With the introduction of the portable SIROLaser Advance we are as close as the laws of physics will ever permit for soft-tissue procedures.

This 980 nm class laser’s wavelength takes advantage of soft tissue’s 70 percent water content. Water is highly absorbed by the 980 nm light energy, thus enhancing the laser’s ablating (vaporizing/cutting) efficiency. The water absorption coefficient of the 980 nm wavelength is 10 times greater than the 810 nm wavelength used by most other lasers.

Additionally, the 980 nm wavelength interacts with tissue using light energy, as well as thermal conduction. This enables water irrigation to be used to cool surrounding tissues, thus controlling collateral thermal damage. This is not possible with most lasers in the 800–940 nm range because such lasers’ interaction mechanism is strictly thermal conduction, which could be negated by the cooling process.

The SIROLaser Advance’s high, 14-watt peak power, with microsecond pulse feature, enables microscopic tissue to be precisely removed with each pulse and enables thermal recovery (relaxation) between pulses, minimizing collateral tissue damage and postoperative discomfort.

Also of benefit with the portable, battery-operated SIROLaser Advance are its phenomenal ergonomics, including an integrated finger switch that eliminates the need for another foot control. It also has an intuitive, easy navigation touch-screen. These simplification features work together to improve treatment outcomes.

With increasingly significant differences being introduced into dental lasers, it is important to understand the various features’ enhancement values. It is the responsibility of clinicians to become knowledgeable about laser physics and select the best devices for their practices. It is imperative that practitioners become properly trained, especially on the lasers they use, enabling the best patient care possible.

(Source: Sirona)