Course Description:
This course focuses on the role of dental lasers for hard and soft tissue treatment in oral surgery and implantology. This lecture is intended for general clinicians, oral surgeons, and implantologists aiming for less invasive surgical alternatives derived from the experience of a laser oral surgeon and implantologist.

Laser information:

Dual-wavelength 2780-nm iPlus and 940-nm laser diode. Lasers from Biolase.

Educational Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to

• Summarize the role of dental lasers in oral surgery, hard and soft tissue interaction, and review clinical outcomes in each type of procedure.
• Apply laser treatment concepts to minimally invasive extraction and immediate implant placement with hard and soft tissue augmentation.
• Describe how lasers can be used for gummy smile treatment and lip repositioning and for the treatment of peri-implantitis.  

Educational Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to

Course Description:

Dental lasers have existed since the late 1980s and evolved over time. Today, it is possible to provide laser and light-based dentistry covering most modalities in general and specialist dentistry from simple to complex aesthetic, restorative, and surgical procedures for both soft and hard tissues. Using the principles of PhotoBioModulation (PBM), it is possible to reduce pain and enhance healing and regeneration. Lasers have been used in our clinical dental practice for the past 30 years for various dental procedures. PBM therapy became a natural progression as the benefits to patients in combination with surgical and hard tissue applications were noted consistently. As clinicians, we continue to strive to treat our patients with minimum discomfort and get predictable quality outcomes. Some of our treatment modalities can be traumatic and painful; utilizing laser and light-based technology can provide pain management and accelerated healing. Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT) pre- and post-treatment conditioning can help improve the outcomes for our patients. Current literature indicates that PBMT can affect the redox balance of the cell, nitric oxide synthase, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production with the release of oxygen and electron chain transcription factors enhancing the healing and pain management in the tissues, improving the patient comfort and outcomes of our treatments which can promote even better-quality healing and prepare the tissue to respond more favorably. Cases treated in our dental practice will be demonstrated with the protocols used.

Laser information:

Various hard and soft tissue lasers and light-based technologies.

Note:

This course discusses investigational devices that have not yet received U.S. approval or clearance for the specified clinical indications or describes off-label uses.

Educational Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to

• Summarize the use of PBMT in various specific specialties.
• Specify some simple and complex treatments with PBMT protocols.
• Use PBMT to reduce pain and complications following procedures.

Course Description:

Removal of ceramic restorations and appliances can be time-consuming, invasive, and inconvenient. Erbium lasers offer an alternative noninvasive method for removal of ceramic restorations, fiber posts, and brackets without causing harm to the abutment or prosthesis. Restorations can be recemented in improved position or used as temporary restorations following laser-assisted debonding as they are not destroyed by the retrieval process. This lecture aims to review research efforts to establish effective protocols, current evidence, and laser parameters, and present clinical cases to demonstrate the effectiveness and practicality of the use of erbium lasers in the removal of various ceramic restorations and appliances from natural teeth and dental implants. Clinical cases include debonding of veneers, single crowns, and fixed partial dentures of natural teeth and implant abutments cemented with various cement materials. Laser settings affect the debonding time and the increase in temperature. Examinations of debonded ceramics have demonstrated no known structural damages resulting from laser applications when appropriate parameters are used. When used incorrectly, side effects may include temperature rise and damage to tooth structures. Times required for retrieval of ceramic restorations are influenced by the type of ceramic, its translucency, surface area of abutment and restoration, restoration thickness, type of restoration and its retentive features, and types of cement used. Erbium lasers presented include Er:YAG and Er,Cr;YSGG. They are both effective noninvasive tools to remove all ceramic restorations/appliances from natural teeth and implant abutments without causing harm to abutments. Laser-assisted debonding may be considered as a viable alternative to removal using rotary instrumentation for ceramic restorations.

Laser information:

Fotona Lightwalker Er:YAG, Waterlase Biolase Er,Cr;YSGG

Educational Objectives:-

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to

• Review the suitability of erbium lasers for debonding of ceramics.
• Explain how laser-assisted debonding works.
• Summarize different laser parameters used for debonding various types of restorations and ceramics.
• Explain differences among materials used for cementation that affect length of irradiation and time required for debonding.

For clinicians in oral medicine, it is imperative to appreciate our greatest foe – biofilms. It is equally important to understand the balance of biofilm and the microbiome of a host. The human microbiome of an individual is as unique as a fingerprint. We will discuss many popular therapies, as we need to realize that as our therapies have evolved so has the dynamic interaction of the oral ecosystem. An oral ecosystem is a delicate balance that must be protected. As clinicians we need to comprehend the goal of our therapy and communicate to our patients the intent and value of the therapy they receive. With this understanding, we can choose appropriate options for our clinical care and better advise our patients regarding the plethora of self-care options they are exposed to that support a symbiotic microbiome. We will discuss how we can utilize the oral microbiome and what we can do differently.

Laser information:

Diode lasers

Educational Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to

• Define biofilm and the microbiome and their role in oral medicine.
• Describe how laser technology can enhance results by antimicrobial effects, and overall tissue response, including postoperative patient comfort.
• Identify the unique challenges we have in battling biofilms clinically with teeth and implants.
• Identify how to provide a therapy experience for the patient with greater comfort and improved clinical outcomes.

External cervical root resorption is often mistaken for root caries and vice versa. Radiological and clinical differential diagnosis of cervical root resorption and root caries is essential for both correct treatment planning as well as for the education and training of dental students. The aim of this presentation is to conduct a literature review and to summarize the prevailing professional consensus pertaining to external root resorption and to establish a proper clinical diagnostic and treatment protocol that helps students distinguish cervical root resorption from root caries, and thereby manage it appropriately. This is critical because, unlike external root resorption, the etiology of caries is predominantly bacterial and thus requires radically different treatment modalities. Early and correct diagnosis of cervical root resorption would prevent unnecessary removal of tooth structure to access what would otherwise be treated as a carious lesion. Low-power lasers have been shown to have good effects on controlling the proliferation and migration of inflammatory cells to the site and can be used only over the area without any serious manipulation. The mechanism of photobiomodulation may accelerate the overall cellular response of target tissues involved in the inflammatory process of external cervical tooth resorption by increasing both osteoblastic and osteoclastic activity in the short term but reducing the overall amount of osteoclasts in the long term to minimize root resorption. Histologically, low-power laser application has been shown to induce osteoblast proliferation and diminish osteoclast production.

Laser information:

Different types of lasers. Specific Wavelengths to be announced soon.

Note:

This course discusses investigational devices that have not yet received U.S. approval or clearance for the specified clinical indications or describes off-label uses.

Educational Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to

• Differentiate between tooth resorption and caries, demonstrating a clear understanding of the distinguishing factors of each condition.
• Acquire proficiency in the various diagnostic tools and techniques specific to tooth resorption and caries.
• Formulate and implement effective treatment plans for cervical root resorption and root caries.

This course is designed for dental hygienists interested in understanding the applications and benefits of the Nd:YAG (neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet) laser in dental hygiene practice. It will review the Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP) protocol and the role of the dental hygienist in patient healing as well as utilizing the laser on other patients. This concise session will provide a comprehensive overview of how and when to use the Nd:YAG laser to optimize patient care and improve clinical outcomes.

Laser information:

Periolase® MVP-7™ Nd:YAG laser, Millennium Dental Technologies, Cerritos, Calif., USA

Educational Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to

• Summarize the principles and mechanisms underlying Nd:YAG laser technology, including its unique properties and how they contribute to its effectiveness in dental hygiene practice.
• Examine the Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP) protocol in detail, focusing on the specific role of the dental hygienist in supporting patient healing post-procedure and understand the nuances of patient care and management in LANAP cases.
• Identify a range of clinical scenarios where the Nd:YAG laser can be effectively utilized in dental hygiene practice, including periodontal therapy, soft tissue management, and more.
• Learn best practices for safe and efficient laser usage, including adherence to safety protocols and regulatory guidelines.
• Develop strategies for seamlessly integrating Nd:YAG laser technology into routine dental hygiene workflows.
• Develop communication skills to effectively educate patients on the benefits of laser-assisted treatments, fostering greater patient understanding and engagement in their oral health care journey.

Since their Introduction in 1996, the use of diode lasers has grown exponentially. While price, footprint, and simplicity have had an outsized effect on their acceptance, their value in dentistry cannot be overlooked. Originally designed for soft tissue management, reduction of bacteria in the periodontal space, and pain therapy, diode lasers have taken on significant importance in dentistry.  Newly developed clinical applications of diode laser systems will make diode lasers an essential tool for daily practice.

Material Curing: More than 60% of dental restorative materials are light-cured. Curing lights using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as the light source have been widely used since being introduced into dentistry in 2001. Unfortunately, the light intensity of LED curing lights dramatically decreases with distance to the material, inherently requires longer curing times, and can result in an incomplete cure for deep restorations. A diode laser curing light using a 450-nm wavelength was introduced in 2022. It will improve the shortcomings of LED curing lights with coherent light and a more parallel beam. This diode laser has the similar features of being small, portable, and as durable as LEDs. Curing lights using the 450-nm diode laser as the light source have demonstrated curing as much as 60% faster while producing less stress-debonding. The majority of dental curing using a true laser can be done within 3 seconds and some of procedures need only 1 second. The diode laser curing light will be the future of dental material curing by offering faster and more reliable curing.

Bacterial Reduction in Root Canal Treatment: Bacterial reduction in root canal treatment is one of the most challenging procedures in endodontics. Chemical solutions have been a key element for disinfecting the canal. Solid-state lasers and ultrasonics have been used to aid the penetration of disinfection solutions; however, the bacterial reduction has been limited to about 90% with available methods in the market. Recent development of a laser-enhanced ablation procedure (LEAP) has demonstrated that an 810-nm diode laser utilized with a laser absorptive solution can reduce the intracanal bacteria count up to 99.9%. The mechanism is that the laser absorption agent absorbs laser energy to warm the solution and to have a solvent in the solution to flash and ablate (carbonize) the residuals in the canal. LEAP was validated in both in vitro and in vivo evaluations by different institutes. LEAP reduces instrumentation, irrigation, and disinfection steps by more than 60% for traditional canal treatment and offers repeatable, reliable, and affordable endodontic treatment for patients.

Reversible Cement: Dentistry has long desired for an on-command bonding and debonding of prosthetics. Recent developments of reversible cement have demonstrated that practitioners can debond dental prosthetics like orthodontic brackets, clear aligner attachments, temporary crowns, 3D printed crowns, zirconia crowns, implant abutments and crowns on-command using an 810-nm diode laser in conjunction with the specially designed light-curing resin cement. The mechanism of action is to produce local heat which cracks the cement and results in debonding. In vitro results have shown great promise of the technology in clinical applications.

In summary, recent developments of clinical procedures using diode lasers cover critical clinical applications in daily practice and will enable diode lasers to be an essential tool for advanced dentistry.

Laser information:  AMD Group 810-nm diode lasers and Monet 455-nm curing laser.

Note:

This course discusses investigational devices that have not yet received U.S. approval or clearance for the specified clinical indications or describes off-label uses.

Educational Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to

• Develop a deeper appreciation of the disinfection capability of diode lasers.
• Summarize practitioners' responsibility to reduce oral infections which can cause distant pathologies.
• Discover how diode lasers, in conjunction with disinfection solutions, can lead to more effective treatment in endodontics.
• Articulate how a true handheld laser can enhance polymerization of dental materials.

Course Description:

Learn how to structure your practice for lawsuit protection and prevention, how to protect your professional and personal assets from lawsuits, reduce your malpractice insurance costs, how to protect your retirement plans from judgments and seizures, and how to minimize vicarious liability for the acts of other professionals and staff.  

Program topics include:

• The misleading healthcare/business professional financial crisis of legal entities defined
• Statistics related to courts
• Sources of lawsuits in healthcare/business settings that involve cases holding business/practice owners liable for employee actions (vicarious liability)
• Joint ownership pitfalls
• Family limited partnership
• History and function of a limited partnership
• Structure, charging order, concession that creditors seize no assets
• Distribution clauses
• LLC vs. FLP, LLC modeled after FLP, and LLC effectiveness

Educational Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to

• Maintain the focus of their private practice on improved patient care rather than malpractice defense.
• Structure their practices for lawsuit protection and prevention, improving overall operations management of the practice.
• Protect practice and professional assets from lawsuits through applied risk management techniques.
• Understand basic practice management tools that can help decrease unnecessary loss of revenue.

There has been a proliferation of technological advances in endodontics over the past 20 years, including Laser-Activated Irrigation (LAI) in 2007. In recent years, Shock Wave Enhanced Emission Photoacoustic Streaming (SWEEPS) technology was introduced into the market. A dual-pulse Er:YAG laser emission produces fluid cavitation in the root canal system as a result of a photoacoustic phenomenon generated by ultra-short pulse energy, delivered by a laser tip kept stationary in the access cavity of the tooth. It this way, the use of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), along with the correct protocol, improves the cleaning and decontaminating effect of root canals when compared to conventional methods. Differences between the SWEEPS protocol and other erbium laser-activated irrigation protocols are explained, along with the basic physics of photothermal and photoacoustic effects in dentistry.

Laser information:

Er:YAG lasers (2940-nm LightWalker and SkyPulse; Fotona, Ljubljana, Slovenia) and other erbium laser (2780 and 2940) laser-activated irrigation protocols.

Educational Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to

• Differentiate between various root canal irrigation techniques.
• Review the differences between photo-thermal and photo-acoustic effects generated by LAI and SWEEPS techniques in endodontics.
• Learn the main advantages of SWEEPS technology for root canal irrigation.

As lasers continue to become more widely accepted in dental practice today, the clinical team must understand what the hygienist’s role is to fully utilize this asset. Every doctor’s goal should be to have multiple lasers running all day for a wide variety of procedures, including full utilization in hygiene. Unfortunately, much of the emphasis in laser education is in helping the doctor understand how to do doctor procedures and hygienists how to do hygiene procedures. This course is designed to help hygienists understand what a doctor is looking for and how they, as a front-line clinical team member, can use appropriate co-diagnosis skills and proper verbiage for massive clinical success in hygiene as well as in the doctor’s chair. Adding this skill to a hygienist’s toolset can elevate any practice into an extraordinary practice and solidify the hygienist’s role as a team leader. During the presentation, Dr. Parker will review a wide variety of laser treatments that hygienists should be screening for in addition to general hygiene applications. Topics to be discussed will range from using fractional laser therapy for snoring and airway-challenged patients, tongue ties, gaining keratinized tissue to improve areas of recession, as well as a general overview of soft tissue procedures like cosmetic enhancements, operculectomies, and other periodontal applications, as well as temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) disorders.

Laser information:

DEKA CO₂ and Nd:YAG lasers.

Note:

This course discusses investigational devices that have not yet received U.S. approval or clearance for the specified clinical indications or describes off-label uses.

Educational Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to

• Discover what a dentist really wants from his hygiene team (it’s not what you think).
• Learn new applications that are quick and profitable for a practice.
• Discuss the differences in diagnosis and co-diagnosis with lasers.
• Learn about fractional ablation and high-intensity laser therapy (HILT).

Course Description:

Photobiomodulation (PBM) has been around since 1960s, but its benefits and mechanisms of action are still not well-understood due to tremendous variation in experimental protocols. Devices from blue to mid-infrared, from light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to diodes, Nd:YAG, erbium, and CO₂ lasers all claim to have stimulatory effects on various cellular processes. But there is no consensus on the optimal dose, duration, frequency of treatments or mode of application. The ultimate goal is to reach the desired target with the right dose to stimulate, reduce inflammation, or alleviate pain. The trick is that different wavelengths have different chromophores and penetration depths, and many medical conditions affect multiple layers of tissues, from mucosa to periodontium to bone to joints. This presentation aims to improve your understanding of how to best deliver the right amount of energy to the target depth using different wavelengths, LEDs and diodes, and delivery methods.

Laser information:

Multi Radiance Medical® ACTIV® PRO and PainAway™.

Note:

This course discusses investigational devices that have not yet received U.S. approval or clearance for the specified clinical indications or describes off-label uses.

Educational Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to

• Contrast differences between LEDs and diodes in PBM applications.
• Explain the benefits of different wavelengths in PBM therapy and how they can work synergistically to help overcome common limitations of PBM.
• Recognize super-pulsed laser technology and its benefits in improving clinical outcomes and predictability of PBM therapy.
• Describe how multi-wavelength PBM therapy can be used in dental applications.

The groundwork for lasers was laid in 1917 with the introduction of Albert Einstein’s theory that photoelectric amplification could emit a single frequency, or stimulated emission. In the past 30 years there has been an explosion of research on dental lasers and their multiple applications. This course will review the evolution of laser dentistry including the role of the Academy of Laser Dentistry, past and current hygiene procedures, and what to look for in the future.

Educational Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to

• Identify historical milestones in the evolution of laser dentistry.
• Define the Academy of Laser Dentistry’s role in laser education and laser research.
• Review past and current hygiene laser procedures and hygiene adjunct therapies.
• Provide a perspective of laser advancements.

Lasers have been used for many years in surgical dentistry. Protocols have been developed based on manufacturers' guidelines and clinical outcomes show, in general, efficient performance and good patient perception. However, sometimes there are complications due to overheating, leading to unexpected clinical outcomes, and therefore one’s laser reputation can be negatively affected. Research data from various experimental studies have shown the significance of initiated vs. non-initiated tips for glass fiber lasers, the impact of local anesthesia within homogenous tissues during laser irradiation, and the effect of laser irradiation on bone and implant surfaces. The lecture highlights this scientific data and provides reflection from the lab work for safe intraoral laser applications.

Laser information:

Laser of various wavelengths will be discussed.

Educational Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to

• Discuss laser safety in clinical procedures.
• Summarize research data from laser irradiation and show the impact of lasers on tissues.
• Specify effects of different laser wavelengths on implants.

Snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are common problems with a variety of management and treatment options. Lasers can offer both ablative and nonablative approaches with a variety of outcomes. This presentation focuses on the available evidence, the rationale behind the various laser therapies, and the successes and shortfalls in using lasers to treat the upper airway.

Laser information: Diode, neodymium, erbium, and carbon dioxide lasers will be discussed. Treatments range from ablative to nonablative.

Educational Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Differentiate between ablative and nonablative laser therapy to treat the upper airway for snoring and OSA.
• Understand where laser therapy fits in with all the other available treatment options for snoring and OSA.
• Recognize when to offer this form of therapy to patients.

Course Description:

Lasers have proven to improve the outcomes in many aspects of oral health. The advancement of different delivery methods of laser energy has made outcomes more effective and efficient. Fractional CO₂ ablation of the soft palate and pharyngeal walls has changed the way we manage and reduce snoring. Treatments with fractional ablative therapy have shown to not only decrease snoring but improve the nasal/pharyngeal connection and allow a significant improvement in airflow. This immediate change and neocollagenesis of the pharyngeal wall reduces the nasal resistance and improves airflow with long-lasting improvements.

In addition, the optimization of High Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT) with its biophysical effects including photomechanical cellular stimulus is an essential mechanism in all tissue regeneration. This type of biostimulation is crucial in the management of cranial facial pain treatments and promotion of hard and soft tissue regeneration. The utilization of HILT laser therapy will improve your overall therapy results while providing a reduction in pain.

Laser information:

DEKA US-20D and SmartXide Ultraspeed2 CO₂ lasers and QuietNite Fractional Handpiece.

Note:

This course discusses investigational devices that have not yet received U.S. approval or clearance for the specified clinical indications or describes off-label uses.

Educational Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to

• Understand why using fractional ablation with the QuietNite CO₂ laser system decreases snoring and airway restrictions.
• Learn how reducing nasal/pharyngeal pressure can improve airflow following fractional ablation.
• Explain how regeneration of the joint complex is possible with HILT.
• Describe how pain reduction with HILT can be quickly and predictably achieved.

In 2024, the role of the dental hygienist has evolved into that of a mid-tiered provider. We have been entrusted with co-diagnosing and collaborating in methodologies geared toward advancing our practices and comprehensively treating our patients. This course promises to deliver the knowledge needed to heighten diagnostic skills, catapult case acceptance and reach levels of health once thought unattainable. By the end of the program, you will be on your way to a healthier practice, clinically as well as financially.

Laser information:

Wavelengths Coming Soon.

Note:

This course discusses investigational devices that have not yet received U.S. approval or clearance for the specified clinical indications or describes off-label uses.

Educational Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to

• Review the paradigm shifts in periodontitis that have led to a medical approach to this infectious disease process.
• Describe essential diagnostic and prognostic testing that identifies periodontal pathogens and genetic susceptibility, providing insight to controlling inflammation and stimulating the repair mechanism.
• Discuss the critical role lasers and photobiomodulation play in current treatment modalities.
• Learn the art of effective case typing and treatment planning.
• Discuss Current Dental Terminology (CDT) codes and billing strategies to facilitate reimbursement for laser therapy.
• Incorporate communication techniques to increase case acceptance.

More than half of all Americans experience pain, and 20-30% of these people suffer from orofacial pain. As health care practitioners, we need to manage the pain as well as address the etiology in order to bring about the best outcome for the patient. While current, traditional treatment modalities are both respected and important, an integrative approach is essential, including photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT), acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), chiropractic medicine, osteopathic medicine, etc. PBM, or PhotoBioModulation treatment, a therapeutic form of red and infrared light therapy, has become a unifying term covering low-level laser treatment (LLLT), sourced from laser and/or light-emitting diode (LED) light devices. PBM therapy increases healing efficiency, including reduction of inflammation and faster muscle recovery. Acupuncture, a complementary pain management modality, stimulates neurological responses, including endorphin release, by activating the meridian channel, reversing stagnation (pain), and increasing the flow of vital energy. These two modalities are in fact interdependent, complementing and fortifying one another’s benefits. The meridian system can complementarily be activated with PBM when directed to the correct location. Meridian mapping techniques, the identification of correlated meridian points and anatomical landmarks, will be discussed.

Laser information:

Various LED light therapy devices (Oral IQ, Los Angeles, Calif., USA) will be discussed

• PBM Light: 630, 660, and 850-nm
• PBM Light +: 660, 850, and 940-nm
• PBMPRO: 470, 630, 660, 850, and 940-nm

Note:

This course discusses investigational devices that have not yet received U.S. approval or clearance for the specified clinical indications or describes off-label uses.

Comments:

This lecture covers new concepts in PBM and LED light therapy, and how these treatment modalities can be integrated info self-care regiments for pain management.

Educational Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to

• Understand the significance of exploring alternative approaches to pain management.
• Learn integrative treatment approaches, including PBM therapy and acupuncture.
• Review the functional mechanisms of PhotoBioModulation and acupuncture.
• Discover how to integrate PBM into your patients’ home care program.

Dental Hygienists have a unique opportunity to incorporate the technology of lasers into their protocols to enhance patient care. There are numerous benefits and ways to implement lasers as an adjunct to hygiene procedures. Lasers can be used to achieve bacterial reduction, decontamination of diseased tissue, biostimulation, and pain relief. Some of the most-used laser procedures in the hygiene department that will be discussed are Laser Bacterial Reduction (LBR), Laser-Assisted Periodontal Therapy (LAPT), hemostasis, treatment of oral lesions (aphthous ulcers/herpetic lesions), and photobiomodulation. This course will present common laser procedures, techniques used in the hygiene department, and how the clinician can incorporate lasers into practice.

Laser information:

Diode and other lasers.

Note:

This course discusses investigational devices that have not yet received U.S. approval or clearance for the specified clinical indications or describes off-label uses.

Educational Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to

• Identify the laser procedures and benefits most used in the hygiene department.

• Review basic laser devices and settings.

• Discuss tips and techniques to get the best results with your patients.

• Describe strategies for communicating and educating patients about the benefits and use lasers.

Educational Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to

• Assess, anticipate, and manage common complications associated with tooth extractions and common dentoalveolar surgical procedures.
• Reinforce awareness that even simple surgical procedures are invasive in nature and can trigger extremely serious and life-threatening complications.
• Understand that dental practitioners, no matter how skilled and experienced in oral surgery, must be at all times aware of even rare, unexpected and severe complications, in order to promptly plan an adequate emergency intervention.

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to

• List the relevant units of measure, numerical values, figures used in laser dentistry.
• Recognize the figures in equations that affect the delivery of laser energy.
• Understand how the equations that relate to laser device observation are applied to clinical treatment.
  

Educational Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to

• Describe what a diode laser is.
• Compare diode laser similarities.
• Illustrate diode laser differences pertaining to each wavelength.