Dental Innovator: How "BIOLASE leads the way in creating the 'total technology solution'..."

DPR recently spoke with Biolase Director of Clinical Research and Education Dr. Chris Walinski about the company's continuing innovations in laser dentistry, plus its claim as an established player in 3D imaging solutions.

Q: Biolase has-for many years-been synonymous with innovation in dental lasers. The WaterLase is a standard bearer in that tradition. How has the WaterLase brand and product evolved to meet the needs of the high-tech dental practice?

A: We are celebrating the 15^th anniversary of WaterLase this year. The WaterLase iPlus, which is our fourth-generation of this technology, has evolved to meet the demands of every dental practice. Reliability is at an all-time high; performance has never been better, even rivaling the cutting speed of a highspeed drill. The system is driven with a touchscreen featuring full-color illustrations of clinical procedures, and is now available with a second wavelength on-board.

Q: In EPIC, you have a state-of-the-art diode laser. With so many competitors in this category, what makes EPIC the go-to solution for dentists?

A: The EPIC Total Diode Solution represents the ingenuity of a team of laser physicists who have been designing dental and medical laser devices for more than two decades. Featuring our proprietary 940nm laser wavelength, and patents surrounding nearly every component, EPIC offers greater flexibility, cutting speed, comfort levels, more power-and greater flexibility with the laser treatments a practice can offer. In addition to common surgical procedures, EPIC is the only laser cleared by the U.S. FDA for treatment of minor pain related to common orofacial disorders such as TMJ, as well as Whitening mode for laser-assisted bleaching. Plus, the iPlus is driven with a straightforward touchscreen menu interface, which can greatly shorten the learning curve.

Q: In the last year, Biolase has established itself as a player in 3D imaging solutions. What prompted this expanded offering?

A: The emergence of digital 3D dentistry is important for BIOLASE. No technology is better suited as a complement to precise, full-view 3D dentistry than the WaterLase iPlus. The iPlus is a superb clinical tool in the hands of any dentist when addressing the clinical conditions associated with 3D scans, such as endodontic treatment, periodontal surgery, placing implants, and contouring osseous tissue. We also are on the leading edge of using 3D digital imaging in restorative and orthodontic procedures. We also carry the 3Shape TRIOS line of intraoral scanners. We see these technologies merging with the excellent, minimally invasive, full dimensional approaches the WaterLase iPlus and EPIC allow. We call this confluence of technologies the Total Technology Solution. We believe we are positioning our company to offer great customer service and technological know-how to become partners with dentists as they deploy the Total Technology Solution.

Q: In choosing a 3D solution to stand behind, what did you find most compelling about the NewTom brand?

A: NewTom was the first 3D CBCT technology in dentistry and is well respected in the medical and dental communities. NewTom images are considered among the highest quality. Adding NewTom’s highly regarded imaging technologies to our Total Technology Solutions product portfolio was essential as part of our “See More. Do More.” vision to enable dentists to provide faster, more accurate, more patient-friendly diagnosis and treatment planning.

Q: With many dentists concerned about obsolescence, how do you feel investments in lasers and 3D position dental practices for long-term success?

A: While the concern over obsolescence is valid, the short-term benefits of lasers and 3D imaging systems can be realized almost from day one. The ROI can be exponential, which mitigates obsolescence in the long term by providing an incredible new type of dentistry for dentists and their patients. For example, 3D imaging can reveal clinical conditions not otherwise visible on traditional 2D images; 3D digital intraoral scanning dramatically simplifies the lab/dentist interface, including eliminating impression material. Lasers can allow for anesthetic-free, drill-free procedures for patients, which redefines the dental experience.

FEATURED BRANDS

WaterLase

The most recent addition to the WaterLase brand family, the WaterLase iPlus Delivers 2,780nm YSGG and 940nm diode versatility with docking station for optional iLase™ wireless laser.

The iPlus “Point and Perform” graphical user interface instantly programs ideal settings for each procedure you select. The iPlus also cuts hard-tissue as fast as conventional drills, but without the discomfort or risk of cross contamination.

Epic

The EPIC™ laser’s graphical touchscreen puts 20 soft-tissue procedures, plus 20-minute full-mouth whitening and FDA-cleared temporary pain relief at the clinician’s fingertips. The ComfortPulse modes can reduce pulse length to as little as one ten-millionth of a second to avoid heat build-up at the surgical site for fast cutting with less patient discomfort.

NewTom

Newly launched under the NewTom banner, the NewTom VG3 takes an image at every degree of rotation, 360° rotation = 360 images, increasing the range of possibilities for image manipulation. A revolutionary flat panel X-ray detector produces the clearest, sharpest images possible. NewTom VG3 features an adjustable Field Of View, which allows the operator to irradiate just the right volume, depending on the required clinical application.