Magnification and the Erbium Laser

[Glenn van As]

Aw darn it all the first image was too big……….here is the resized one at 640 by 480……….

Take care………
Glenn

[Patricio]

Glenn,

In my own case I went from 2.0 to 3.5 mag. and fully understand what you are saying. Until you can watch it cut you cann’t optimize the cutting. For me there has been a learning curve to get the light, the scopes and the patient all at optimum distance while working. I am still having a hard time with upper teeth working in a mirror which frequently had water on it. Any suggetions for improving mirror vision. The assistant is spraying air but with other things to attend to we have periods of poor vision or obstructed vision with suction etc. Based upon your experience I imagine I will want something grander as I go forward.
Pat

[Swpmn]

Glenn:

No doubt. I’m convinced that magnification is absolutely essential to ablation of tooth structure with the Erbium laser. I use Designs for Vision 2.5 loupes with headlamp and probably will eventually upgrade to higher mag loupes.

Does the Continuum laser have optic illumination? I looked at the Cavilase by ADT and thought that the general idea of the 45 degree beam(vs. 90) with light illumination and offset water spray was fantastic for improving vision. Would like to see Biolase upgrade the handpiece with the same features the now dying Cavilase presented.

What do you think or did you get a chance to see the Cavilase concept? What is the beam angle from the handpiece with the Continuum as I know nothing about your laser. I know you have mentioned there are two handpieces, one straight and one contra-angled I think?

Al

[Glenn van As]

Hi Allen……..great to see people with an open mind……..

One of the handpieces is exactly like the biolase.

The other looks like a pen and is straight and this is the one I use because it gets the head out of the way so I can see.

There is a white aiming beam on the Erbium and the tips come in Straight, 30 degrees, and 80 degree bends and the tips come in 400 and 600 microns wide and they are making all sorts of new tips all the time (like the chisel shaped tip I am using for flaps and the endo tips.)

Here is a picture of the delivery system……..does this help at all.

Glenn

[Swpmn]

Glenn:

Thanks for the photo, now I understand. Could tell from your magnified photos that your system was much different than mine but couldn’t quite get the whole image until today.

Al

[Glenn van As]

Hi Al………it is like a pen with different tips which I find to be better in two locations than my handpiece.

1. Buccal pits on lower molars where the cheek gets in the way as the patient tenses up and in addition with the Continuum handpiece I can come from the anterior and not get in the way of the cheek.

2. On occlusals of 2nd molars when the patient wont open up far…………

Its not often I do the occlusals but when I do the height from the tip of the laser to the head of the handpiece is much less than a bur and handpiece.

Glenn

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