Weekly Tech Profile: Lasers

Innovation will likely broaden access to dental care, according to experts.

From humble beginnings on the pages of comic books, they grew to epitomize science fiction on the silver screen. Now, lasers are science fact in dental operatories around the world.

Some dentists are using lasers to reduce pain and anxiety caused by traditional handpieces. However, high initial costs are causing hesitation amongst others. Research and Markets values the current dental laser market at nearly $230M with forecasts for rapid growth through 2021.

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Here’s our list of the best dental lasers from the top three leading global manufacturers.

Lightwalker by Fontana

Since its founding in 1964, Fotona has produced laser devices for many industries and is now a global leader in medical and dental lasers. Fotona’s latest dental laser, the LightWalker, beat out 4515 competitors for the coveted Red Dot Design Award in 2012.

LightWalker is one of the most advanced dental lasers on the market and is the first scanner ready system. It features a complementary wavelength combination system which allows users to switch between the Er:YAG wavelength for high absorption and the Nd:YAG wavelength for deep penetration. The highly adjustable laser can accommodate a wide range of applications across all fields of dentistry and has multiple preset procedure parameters. The LightWalker beam also protects teeth by automatically stopping when it reaches healthy tissue.

Waterlase Express by Biolase

Foremost dental laser manufacture, Biolase INC, released the Waterlase Express this February. The Express is Biolase’s 5^th generation Er,Cr:YsGG laser and is the latest evolution of the company’s previous flagship laser, the Waterlase iPlius. The new design emphasizes a streamlined user interface, education and portability.

“With all the value of Waterlase technology at nearly one-quarter the size, one-third the weight, and nearly half the U.S. retail price of our market-leading Waterlase iPlus system, we believe Express is the dental laser that is finally ready for the vast majority of dentists around the world,” said CEO of Biolase Harold C. Flynn for Business Wire.

One of the systems unique features is an on-board educational library which includes videos from Waterlase Express clinical mentors. Other features include real time adjustable cutting power and workflow organization from a 4K HD touch tablet display.

Click here to learn more about the Waterlase Express.

Solea by Convergent Dental

Solea’s unique Isotopic CO2 laser vaporizes enamel using a 9.3 micrometer wavelength beam for nearly peak hydroxyapatite absorption. This beam is faster and more effective on hard tissue than Erbium and native 10.6 micrometer CO2 lasers according to Convergent. Solea’s beam also efficiently functions on restored teeth.

“The Solea® Dental Laser is the number one selling hard, soft and osseous tissue laser in dentistry. It’s fast, precise, virtually noiseless and anesthesia free for the vast majority of procedures,” Convergent wrote.

Computerized mechanisms continuously modify the beam to automatically focus power and establish unique patterns for each procedure. This versatility allows dentists to choose from beams ranging between 0.25mm and 1.25mm in diameter.

Visit the Solea product profile page here.

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