Dentures anyone?

[/pine]

I'm curious as to what ever happened to the story about using a laser for dental treatment? I remember an article years ago where a laser was touted that it would be the next "drill" for dentistry. Seemed like a big thing at the time but just sort of fizzled out? I've still got all my teeth at 60 (couple of crowns though). Floss every day and brush three times a day. When I go for annual cleanings twice a year, I usually wonder about what people did a hundred years ago or more. One of the neatest things that my dentist has is a machine that makes a crown while I'm just sitting there. Sticks this little do-dad in the mouth and takes a bunch of different angle pictures and somehow this contraption sends the info to his lab in the back. About an hour or so later he steps back there and magically appears with a crown that fits almost perfect. He usually has to adjust it slightly. Some kind of machine cuts it out. Truly a great time to be living with medical marvels and treatments.

I'm sure 'concordriver' has a more informed, articulated response...but I know they have been using a laser to set filling material for quite a few years...just recently I have seen some advertising for some consumer available adhesives etc...that use a laser as catalyst...I'm curious about it...

 

[MossRoad]

I'm sure 'concordriver' has a more informed, articulated response...but I know they have been using a laser to set filling material for quite a few years...just recently I have seen some advertising for some consumer available adhesives etc...that use a laser as catalyst...I'm curious about it...

You sure that's a laser and not just UV light?

 

[MossRoad]

I'm curious as to what ever happened to the story about using a laser for dental treatment? I remember an article years ago where a laser was touted that it would be the next "drill" for dentistry. Seemed like a big thing at the time but just sort of fizzled out? I've still got all my teeth at 60 (couple of crowns though). Floss every day and brush three times a day. When I go for annual cleanings twice a year, I usually wonder about what people did a hundred years ago or more. One of the neatest things that my dentist has is a machine that makes a crown while I'm just sitting there. Sticks this little do-dad in the mouth and takes a bunch of different angle pictures and somehow this contraption sends the info to his lab in the back. About an hour or so later he steps back there and magically appears with a crown that fits almost perfect. He usually has to adjust it slightly. Some kind of machine cuts it out. Truly a great time to be living with medical marvels and treatments.

I don't think they were ever going to use a laser for drilling, but I'll guess that the thing they stick in your mouth to take a picture of your tooth to make a crown is some form of laser scanner.

 

[jerrybob]

Go figure.......my dad had all his teeth pulled at 35 due to constant problems.....wore dentures the rest of his life. Mom had lots of cavities and fillings so did my older brother. I have never had a cavity....have all my teeth except the front two I knocked out as a kid....those are capped. I brush but rarely floss. Just had my teeth cleaned last week......even the dentist doesn't understand it. Oh well.......that's the good news......the bad news.....both my knees are worn out........that's life.

 

[Concordriver]

I'm sure 'concordriver' has a more informed, articulated response...but I know they have been using a laser to set filling material for quite a few years...just recently I have seen some advertising for some consumer available adhesives etc...that use a laser as catalyst...I'm curious about it...

There are basically two types of dental lasers. The first type operates at a wavelength that is good for cutting soft tissues (gums) and the second type that operates at a wavelength that is good for cutting hard tissues (teeth). I hope to own a soft tissue laser some day...waiting for prices to come down. I don't see any major advantages of the hard tissue laser compared to the drill. The media often produces stories about new technologies that will revolutionize current methods. But, these stories are usually not realistic.
The digital scanners and in-office milling machines are pretty cool. I hope to own a digital scanner some day. It is a rapidly evolving field. The units get better and better each year and less expensive too. Right now the digital scanners go from $18K-$50K. I am not really interested in the in-office milling machines. My patients are not going to wait around my office for an extra hour to wait for their restorations to be milled. They would rather come back for another appointment. Also, the dental labs can mill a wider range of materials than an in-office milling machine can do. A combination digital scanner/in-office milling machine costs ~ $100K. I have found that some unethical dentists justify the expense of this equipment by doing unnecessary work. So, make sure you really need this type of treatment before you agree to it.

 

[gwstang]

" I hope to own a soft tissue laser some day...waiting for prices to come down. I don't see any major advantages of the hard tissue laser compared to the drill."

It seems the soft tissue laser would be advantageous to slow the bleeding of the soft tissue, when you have to slice and dice? I hate the sounds the "drill" makes, brings back the sounds of the old dentistry torture of way back when....lol. Has to be one of the most powerful stimulus response type of reactions on the planet....lol. Instantly tense up and freeze.

 

[/pine]

You sure that's a laser and not just UV light?

You're right it's not a laser I referred to...after a quick search I found it's called a "curing light" not a laser or a UV light...?

This is the type of product I cited: https://www.buylazerbond.com/

 

[QRTRHRS]

On the lowers, I have my wisdon teeth and most of my front teeth save for one where the cap would not stay on after a root canal. Since I currently wear a partial on the bottom that is about shot after 20 years, I asked about another. I would need at least three new caps and one wisdom tooth and one front tooth are not the best hence the implants and full plate on the bottom.

On the top, I just do not have enough stable teeth left.

Not sure of the extraction costs yet but the implants are 675/each, plates 280 apiece. As I said when I started the post, I am going to the University of KY School of Dentistry so the costs are managable. The biggest drawback is time. It tends to drag out a bit because the students have their schedules as opposed to a practicing dentist. So far though, I have no complaints. The care has been excellant and everything is overseen by resident doctors.

 

[kenmac]

$675.00 is cheap for an implant.. I have several implants due to bad teeth.. 1 implant only lasted about 3 days ,and fell out..Doc says it happens sometimes.. Had to wait about 6 months to let the hole heal ,then tried it again at additional cost.. It stayed the 2nd time. They are $1500.00 a pop here.. Then $325.00 for the crown to go on the implant

 

[MossRoad]

There are basically two types of dental lasers.

I did not know that. Thanks! :thumbsup: