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Happy Monday! Lasers are cool. Lasers can cut, heat, cool, and even levitate things. In the medical/dental world, lasers have introduced more advanced and efficient ways to perform surgeries and diagnose our patients. Certain lasers are even curing sleep-related disorders and the team here is bringing you the 411.

In Today’s Edition:

• Dental lasers and their uses overview

• The Promise of Er:YAG Laser Technology

• Case Report: Oral Appliance + Laser Therapy

• Medical Billing or Fee-for-Service?

• Industry events

• Laser 3D metal printing🤯

5-minute read today👇

Ever wondered which laser is the ultimate game-changer in your dental practice? We are focused on sleep here but this is an important summary for those who are new to laser dentistry!

🦷 Types of Dental Lasers & Their Uses

If you're a laser pro, skip ahead to the clinical corner

1. Er:YAG and Er:CrYSGG Lasers:

   • Main Attraction: Hard-tissue lasers attracted to water and hydroxyapatite.

   • Common Uses: Snoring and apnea treatment, prepping teeth for fillings or crowns, and more.

   • Big Names in the Market: Fotona NiteLase.

   • Price Tag: A bit on the higher side, but a versatile choice for various procedures.

2. Diode Lasers:

   • Best For: Soft-tissue procedures.

   • Common Uses: Widely used by dental hygienists for procedures like teeth cleanings.

   • Portability: Easy to move from room to room, offering competent results.

   • Popular Choices: Ultradent Gemini, Evo lasers, and Biolase Epic Hygiene.

3. Nd:YAG Lasers:

   • History: Dominated the early '90s until diodes entered the stage.

   • Features: A tad pricier and bulkier than diode lasers but offer similar functionalities.

   • Still Relevant? Absolutely, still a favorite among many professionals.

4. CO₂ Lasers:

   • Why Hygienists Love Them: Excellent at cutting soft tissue without causing bleeding.

   • Popular Models: DEKA and the versatile Solea laser, which is FDA-cleared for both hard and soft tissue procedures.

   • Benefits: They enhance the patient experience significantly.

📚 Navigating the Legal Landscape

Remember, staying within the bounds of your State Dental Practice Act is key. Ensure you're well-acquainted with the regulations governing the use of lasers in your practice to avoid any legal pitfalls.

💡 Training & Certification

Getting trained is not just about compliance; it's about mastering your craft. A comprehensive training program, encompassing tutorials and hands-on training, will set you on the path to becoming a laser dental hygienist par excellence.

📈 Coding for Procedures

As you integrate lasers into your practice, make sure to adhere to the established dental codes. Keep a close eye on your contract stipulations with insurance companies to avoid discrepancies in charging patients.

Clinical Corner

🥼Use the clinical corner as your secret weapon to impress your colleagues and patients!

🔑Key Takeaways

1/ The Promise of Er:YAG Laser Technology

Overview

Researchers have demonstrated the significant effectiveness of a non-invasive Er:YAG laser treatment in reducing adult snoring. This groundbreaking study indicated that the treatment not only markedly diminishes snoring intensity but is also safe, with no major side effects reported.

This development presents a hassle-free and promising alternative for individuals and their partners plagued by snoring. It works by initiating regenerative processes in the throat tissue, thereby decreasing its vibration and collapsibility, which are primary causes of snoring.

Practical Takeaways

Dental specialists should pay attention to the potential of Er:YAG laser therapy in the field of snoring and sleep apnea treatments. It offers substantial advantages compared to existing methods, which often involve painful experiences and low success rates:

• Minimal Invasiveness: The therapy eliminates the need for anesthesia and avoids the side effects commonly associated with more invasive treatments.

• Enhanced Comfort & Tolerance: Patients have reported only minor, temporary side effects, primarily mild soreness or dry throat.

• Potential Market Disruption: The study points to a significant shift in the approach to treating snoring and mild OSA, combining effectiveness with a lower risk profile, potentially revolutionizing patient experiences.

• Patient-Centric Approach: The laser treatment aims to improve the overall quality of life by reducing the disturbances caused by snoring, benefiting both the individual and their partners.

Given these promising initial results, dental specialists working with sleep apnea cases might consider incorporating this technology into their practices. While more comprehensive studies are necessary to further establish its efficacy, Er:YAG laser therapy is emerging as a transformative tool in the battle against snoring.

2/ Case Report: Oral Appliance + Laser Therapy

Case Highlight

A 71-year-old woman faced loud snoring and noticeable apneas, typical signs of severe OSA. The skilled team at the sleep center proposed a dual treatment approach: using a custom-fit dental appliance and Er:YAG laser therapy. The process began with the dental appliance, followed by targeted laser therapy sessions on the oropharynx, leading to a substantial decrease in her snoring volume, as tracked by the SnoreLab app. Remarkably, a one-year follow-up showed a significant drop in the Respiratory Event Index (REI) from 37.1 to just 3.5, suggesting that this combined therapy could revolutionize treatment for severe OSA patients.

Why It Matters

This new approach is crucial in the developing field of OSA treatment. While PAP machines have traditionally been the primary treatment for severe OSA, they often cause considerable discomfort and compliance issues. Dental sleep appliances, though more tolerable, can cause side effects such as facial pain and changes in bite. This case indicates that combining nonsurgical laser therapy with dental appliances may maintain oropharyngeal patency without ongoing appliance use, potentially reducing long-term risks and improving patient adherence.

Practical Takeaways

• Collaborative Approach: The combination of laser therapy and dental sleep appliances could potentially amplify the effectiveness of OSA treatments.

• Patient Compliance: This dual approach might alleviate the discomfort and compliance challenges commonly associated with PAP machines and dental appliances.

• Future Studies: Although these results are promising, further research through blinded randomized controlled trials is necessary to validate the efficacy of this therapy and broaden its application.

• Technology Integration: Apps like SnoreLab can be potent tools in tracking the treatment's progress and success.

Conclusion

In an era constantly seeking improved treatment methods, this case study presents a hopeful direction. It suggests a merger of technology and novel therapy combinations to enhance the quality of life for individuals with OSA.

Business of Sleep

📈Better businesses = more lives saved!

Medical Billing or Fee-for-Service: Finding Your Path in Dental Sleep Medicine

Are you grappling with the choice between medical billing and a Fee-For-Service (FFS) approach in your practice? Let's simplify this complex decision with a clear breakdown of the pros and cons of each.

The Simplicity of the Fee-For-Service Approach

When I ventured into dental sleep medicine, the learning curve was steep. Adding medical billing seemed like an extra layer of complexity. That's when I considered the FFS model, already a part of my restorative practice. This approach brought transparency and a focus on value, with clear payment options for patients.

Advantages:

• Streamlined, fostering clarity and transparency.

• Develops a value-driven treatment plan.

• Allows access to third-party financing options.

The Mixed Bag of Medical Billing

But medical billing isn't a total loss. It can potentially lower patient costs and increase case acceptance rates, adding new financial options to your practice. However, it comes with its share of challenges: unrealistic patient expectations and a maze of deductibles and coverage limitations, which could lead to billing chaos.

Pros:

• Potentially lowers costs for patients, possibly boosting case acceptance.

• Adds diverse financial options to your practice's offerings.

Cons:

• May create unrealistically high patient expectations.

• Features the risk of low coverage and high deductibles.

• Might entail a confusing and complex billing process.

Choosing What's Best for Your Team

Remember, medical insurance has its merits, fostering strong physician relationships and enhancing long-term referral potential. But it's not mandatory for success in dental sleep medicine. Consider what aligns best with your team's philosophy. For my part, the FFS model has been a beacon of simplicity and efficiency, boosting value and production.

Something Sweet

🍭Stuff so sweet you might get a cavity..

From the community

Miscellaneous

😅P.S. … I forgot something

Speaking of lasers… shout out to our dental techs using lasers to make crowns, nylon appliances and more! [start at 1:35] Mesmerizing😵‍💫