That question about Biolase knowing when Hoya sells a laser is probably true. Biolase owns just about all the patents when it comes to Erbium lasers in dentistry. Today they just completed a transaction to end patent litigation with Diodem, AKA Colette , former CEO of Premier Laser System. In fact I believe Hoya, as well as the other manufacturers have to pay a royalty to Biolase for the use of the patent. That is why they know when one is sold.

Robert

Hoya DELight vs. Biolase waterlase

Hoya seems to have much better visibility
 The DELight delivery system provides unparalled visibility which is essential for erbium laser treatment.   Have done two in vitro(lab) test drives with the Waterlase MD. The delivery system of the DELight still provides better visibility.

Hoya seems to cut faster (able to increase the frequency?)
 No, ignore claims that one laser cuts faster than the other.  Waterlase MD goes up to 8.0 Watts and at that level may be possible that it cuts faster.

Hoya seems to have a much better cable
  Unquestionable.  Have never heard of a DELight user blowing a trunk fiber.

Hoya claims it is more stable as far as mobility from room to room or office to office.
  Not sure about mobility but I have personally experienced:
    Waterlase
       Four blown trunk fibers,  defective pumping chamber, blown flashlamp and burnt out handpiece mirrors.  Spent a bunch of money on repairs.
    DELight
       Minor electrical problem.  No additional money spent on repairs.

Hoya will let you test drive in your office.
   Yes.

Biolase will not let you try out the unit in your office.
   Don’t know.

Biolase seems to have many more users in Long Island.
   No comment.

Biolase will allow for easier water control.
   No.  DELight air/water is easily adjusted just like your high speed handpiece.  I set mine one time to allow proper clearance of cut tooth products, irrigation to prevent charring and to give me the best visibility.  Has never been changed.

Biolase claims to have much better support.
  For what?  In my opinion this is a big NO.

Biolase has a lot of courses in other doctors’ offices while Hoya will send you to laser academies.
  I’ve personally paid to have training by all three of the major erbium laser dental manufacturers in the U.S. dental market.  Rating based on presentation of scientific facts:
  1) HOYA
  2) Lumenis/OpusDent
  3) Biolase

Biolase claims that they own the patent on Hoya’s laser and knows when each one is sold.
   Don’t know.

Biolase has many more tips for its laser.
   Don’t know.  I’m pleased with the variety of tip selection available with my DELight.

Hoya is about &#367000 less expensive.
  Probably true when comparing the original Waterlase to the DELight.

They both will pay the doctor for in office demos.
  No comment and don’t care.

Biolase is very aggressive when it comes to sales.
  No doubt about that but we also have to look at ethic….. OK I’ll stop.

Biolase claims that it’s laser can numb a tooth but Hoya can not.
  It’s doubtful that either of these erbium lasers can “numb” a tooth.  Most likely, the supposed analgesic effects reported by erbium laser users can be explained by the fact that these pulsed lasers are only “ON” for microfractions of a second so that there is minimal heat buildup in the target tissue.

Hoya claims that they have much better hemostasis on soft tissue procedures.
  Really?  That’s usually a Biolase claim related to the 2780nm wavelength which is an insignificantly less 160nm than the water-specific 2940nm DELight.  Erbiums will cut oral tissues well but they don’t do so hot for sealing off capillaries since the wavelength is poorly absorbed by pigmented tissues.  Even if you have an adjustable longer pulse duration erbium like the WaterlaseMD I’d be willing to bet it won’t work as well as a laser in the 800-1064nm range.  There also may be issues with the tips getting messed up – when you work with soft tissue you need to have tips/fibers that can be cleaved like with diodes and Nd:YAGs.

Hoya is much quieter than the waterlase.
  The DELight cooling fan is much quieter than the original Waterlase.  However, I have heard that the fan on the Waterlase can be upgraded to a level of pleasance.  Fan noise from the new WaterlaseMD is neglible.

Nice work Mickey. Did that patient have a history of GERD? Those lesions look like classic GERD associated erosion. If he hasn’t already, I would urge that patient to get scoped by a gastroenterologist ASAP
Al B

Ron, The more you use the MD the more you will like it. Having the soft tissue mode is like having a second laser. I would be hard pressed to come up with a reason why someone would want to buy a Er laser and a diode. The MD is the answer.

Glenn,

Cool stuff as usual.

I wish we had a classification method for cracks since they are not all like. These are beauties.

My take on large cracks like this are: When they spread in all directions from a deep class 1 like a spider web (see the first photo), the tooth is in destruct mode. I have yet to see one that is not an endo. It will eventually fracture down the root and be a perio problem . I will post a spectacular case when I figure out how to get them on this site. These teeth are on a limited life span. Crown is madatory.

At least she knows that and is willing to take the gamble. I would too. You have a good sense of her desire for keeping this tooth. It is important to cover this with the patient.

Great use of laser for endo and solid treatment as usual. We may have to create a new standard in dentistry: Friends of Glenn Society.

Ditto David…..