Everyone has questions about dental lasers. Let’s see if this article answers some of yours!
Many dental laser users have questions but feel uncomfortable asking them. In this article, I’ll share some of the most common questions and provide answers to them. Please know that you can reach out to me with questions you may have at any time. I’ll be happy to help!
What procedures can a dental hygienist perform with a laser?
It all depends on the state in which the hygienist is employed and what their scope of practice is in that state. Here are some procedures that can be considered depending on your state practice act: laser-assisted periodontal therapy (LAPT), laser bacterial reduction (LBR), desensitizing of sensitive teeth, aphthous ulcers, herpetic lesions, and hemostasis.
How do I find out what states allow the use of lasers?
A great resource is the Academy of Laser Dentistry website. You can go directly to our current and updated chart to see what states allow hygienists to use lasers as well as what the requirements are for laser education and training.
Is the laser manufacturer preset the correct setting to treat perio?
The presets are a good guideline for a beginner with lasers, but a laser course would be a great way to understand how to choose the correct setting for each patient. The most important thing is to learn to “read the tissue.” This means that we look at the tissue and make sure that we are working within our scope of practice. If we use only the presets, then on some patients we’ll have a setting that is too high and potentially damages the tissue and hurts the patient. If the preset setting is too low, then we will be ineffective in the use of the laser. Always make sure you have the training you need to understand what you are trying to do. Using a laser is so much more than putting it into the pocket and swirling it around.
Does the laser make the lesion go away the next day?
In short, no. The laser will arrest the lesion, and, depending on the severity of the lesion, it will help speed up the healing process. For instance, lasers will allow the area to heal in about three to five days as opposed to the 10-14 days without laser treatment, but the lesion will still go through the process of what it does without treatment.
Can I use a laser safely around a dental implant? If they are bleeding and I am doing SRP on the teeth next to it, can I initiate the tip?
A diode laser can be used around an implant as long as you are treating within your scope of practice, treating implant mucositis and not peri-implantitis. Use low settings, keep the laser directed toward the tissue wall, and avoid spending too much time in the pocket, so that you are not heating up the implant body or transferring heat to the bone surrounding the implant. You can initiate the tip if you choose, but it is not necessary; just pay attention to the tissue interaction. As I mentioned before, read the tissue.
Can the patient just close their eyes instead of wearing safety glasses?
No, everyone in the hazard zone will need to have wavelength laser-specific eyewear. You can purchase new or extra pairs of eyewear from your laser company or from a dependable company. A great company to consider for inserts for your loupes is Innovative Optics. They can help you find the exact ones that you need.
Final takeaways and tips
- If you have not been trained, consider taking a course to make sure you understand how to use your laser correctly.
- If your team needs training on laser safety, consider the Academy of Laser Dentistry’s online laser safety course, Academy of Laser Dentistry Laser Safety Course – A Primer.
- Follow your state practice act, and make sure you know what your state allows you to do!
Editor’s note: This article first appeared in Clinical Insights newsletter, a publication of the Endeavor Business Media Dental Group. Read more articles and subscribe.
