Article on ND Yag and desensitization

[kellyjblodgettdmd]

Thanks for the great post, Glenn.

Just imagine where we’ll be in 5 years.

Kelly

[John Eaton]

Great stuff.

What kind of results are you Nd:YAG users getting out there in the trenches? What kind of fees are you getting for desenitization and are you getting any insurance reinbursement?

[kellyjblodgettdmd]

John, I’ve gotten good initial results doing desensitization with my Nd:YAG, but it usually seems to come back over a couple weeks. I have achieved much better results using my Erbium laser.

We don’t generally get any insurance reimbursement, but patients are usually more than happy to pay the fee out of pocket once their tooth feels better.

Kelly

[John Eaton]

Thanks Kelly! Any more results and fees from Nd: YAG users?

[drnewitt]

Kelly

what is your protocol with your erbium? and what are you considering good results?

[kellyjblodgettdmd]

Paul – great questions! Generally, my protocol is 0.25W with no air and no water. Sometimes, I’ll use just a little air, depending on how sensitive the dentin is. I’ll apply the energy over the sensitive area from about 5mm away. I move in a small circular fashion slowly getting closer to the sensitive area. After 30 seconds, I test the area with whatever made it sensitive in the first place. I continue with this until the sensitivity is gone. I consider it successful if the symptoms don’t return.

So far, the patients that I have used the Erbuim on that had true dentinal hypersensitivity have not had symptoms recur. Of course, all contributing factors had also been addressed. I’ve only done it on about a dozen patients.

Kelly

[Author]

Posts