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| CE article dual wavelength laser 10 roots 2 2016 Er:YAG & Nd:YAG dual wavelength laser From everyday dentistry to advanced photoacoustic endodontic applications (PIPS) Authors: Drs Lawrence Kotlow, Enrico DiVito, USA, & Giovanni Olivi, Italy Introduction Lasers provide an exciting new technology that al- lows the dentist the ability to give patients optimal carewithoutmanyofthe“fearfactors”foundincon- ventionaldentaltechniques.Usedwithproperunder- standing of laser physics, lasers are extremely safe and effective. Using lasers for caries removal, perio treatment, endodontic treatment, bone management, cutting and shaping, and soft tissue procedures can reduce postoperative discomfort, infection and provide safe, simplein-officetreatment.Asaresult,wecanimprove our efficiency, expand what we can do, achieve better results and increase production. Lasersrepresentarealquantumleapforwardinthe treatment of our patients, including the paediatric patient. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave approval for the use of the Er: YAG laser in 1997 forbothhard-andsoft-tissueprocedures.Theerbium doped (erbium particles placed within the YAG crys- tal) crystal of Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet’s (Er:YAG) development and success has made the treatment of children safer and quicker. Plainlystated,alaserisapieceofequipmentthatcre- atesaconcentratedmonochromaticbeamofvisibleor infrared light that can be absorbed by a specific target. Sincethen,laser-assisteddentalcarehaschangedfor- everthewaydentistscanpreparediseasedteeth,ablate bone and treat soft tissue abnormalities and disease. Anentirenewstandardofcareisbecomingareality. Lasers and paediatric dentistry are a perfect fit. There are a wide range of hard and soft dental proce- dures that may be completed using lasers as an al- ternative to conventional dental care on adults and, especially,children.Manyoftheseproceduresmaybe treatmentsdentistshistoricallyreferouttootherspe- cialists;however,ifyouunderstandanduseyourlaser efficiently, you will discover that many of these are procedures that every dentist can easily complete. The question that is often the major concern and barriertoinvestinginlasersisthehowthisinvestment willpayforitself,morerecentlydescribedasreturnon your investment (ROI). Will it pay for itself? We prefer to speak of this as the secondary effect. If you under- stand your laser, it will easily pay premiums on your investment, and the cost factor becomes a non-issue. The purchasing of lasers is an investment, not an expense, for any dental practice. Lasers represent a fundamental change in the en- tire way dentistry has been taught. We can now re- thinkandoftenmodifyG.V.Black’sprincipleofexten- sion for prevention with the concept of minimally invasivemicro-dentistry.Weneedtounderstandthat laser dentistry is one portion of an entire new way of practicing conservative, pain-free dentistry. The laser that we call the “all-purpose” laser is the LightwalkerEr:YAG&Nd:YAGlaser,manufacturedby Fotona and distributed in the United States by Tech- nology4Medicine. The Er:YAG produces its effect at 2,940 nm and has as its primary tissue target water and hydroxyapatite. It is very safe, relatively quiet, eliminates the smells and vibrations associated with the dental handpiece and, most importantly, is much morecomfortableforthepatient,significantlyreduc- ing the need for local anaesthesia. CE credit This article qualifies for CE credit. To take the CE quiz,log on to www.dtstudyclub.com.Click on ‘CE articles’ and search for this edition of roots magazine.If you are not registered with the site, you will be asked to do so before taking the quiz.You may also access the quiz by using the QR code above. 22016