The Science behind the Solea® Dental Laser

Solea^® is an advanced dental technology that has revolutionized and disrupted the dental laser market forever. After years in development, Convergent Dental was ready in 2013 to introduce dentistry to a breakthrough technology that would finally position a dental laser as an instrument a dentist would come to rely on for every patient every day. The key to the company’s success and unprecedented growth over the years is directly attributed to the company’s commitment to innovation that was a leap over the native CO₂ and erbium lasers currently on the market.

What is perhaps most extraordinary about the Solea dental laser that distinguishes it from the others is the incredible amount of science and research that went into creating it, in addition to the fact that despite its masterful engineering and intricate design, the final tangible product is so simple that any practitioner can use it and easily become a laser dentist without clinical compromise.

An isotopic CO₂ dental laser, Solea uses an oxygen-18 isotope and other specialized modifications to release a 9.3 µm wavelength, unlike erbium dental lasers that vaporize water and slowly chip away at enamel and native CO₂ systems that, at a wavelength of 10.6 µm, are only useful when working on soft tissue. With such a unique wavelength, the peak level of hydroxyapatite (more or less enamel) absorption is reached and the patient’s actual tooth enamel is vaporized: this is one significant differentiating factor of the Solea dental laser, and is the reason for its speed and precision.

The Solea laser’s capabilities go beyond simplicity, speed, and precision. When dentists use Solea, they get unbelievable clinical advantages that solidify why it is the preferred all-tissue dental laser.

Solea software continues to deliver innovation

Solea’s sophisticated software is what allows the dental laser to deliver faster cutting and more predictable anesthesia-free experiences for the patient. Extensive ongoing research and development continues to reveal the versatility and predictability the dentist demands from an all-tissue laser. Solea’s newest software adaption, 3.1.1, once again revolutionizes its capabilities in respect to usability and control, as well as patient experience.

Convergent Dental is just beginning to understand the capabilities of the Solea dental laser. As the company continues to study the wavelength and pattern development, imaginative new software applications may be available that will truly make this technology the most valuable and versatile platform offering for a dental practice.

Galvos

After Solea emits a powerful wavelength of 9.3 µm, it is optimized by galvos: computer-controlled motors that shift and reposition the mirrors inside of each handpiece. The mirrors subsequently manipulate the beam thousands of times per second, which creates ideal patterns for all tissues, including dentin, bone, enamel, and soft tissue. As a result of the patterns possessing a range of diameters (from .25mm to 1.25mm), the dentist can choose the appropriate spot size for the case at hand. Galvos also determines the cutting properties (from smooth to coarse, and fast to very fast), facilitating speed, accuracy, and total control that contribute to time savings and an enhanced procedure for you and your patient.

Variable speed foot pedal

With this feature, cutting through hard and soft tissues is as easy as it gets; all it takes is adjusting the pressure that you put on the pedal. Press lightly when working on soft tissue, or harder to increase cutting speed for hard tissue procedures. Another Solea advantage is that the doctor can focus on the oral cavity when transitioning from hard to soft tissue by having total control with the foot pedal. Simply make an initial selection and go to work. For dentists who are used to the drill, the variable speed foot pedal supports a similar experience, streamlining the Solea learning curve.

Handpieces

Dentists are given three handpiece options with Solea: the Contra-Angle, Straight, and Ultraguide. Although each one is designed for a specific use, all three are the same in that they are constructed from stainless steel and built ergonomically so that they feel virtually weightless in the hand. For traditional hard and soft tissue procedures, the Contra-Angle and Straight handpieces are optimal; whereas, for soft tissue cutting and making way into the periodontal pocket, the Ultraguide handpiece is ideal, as it uses hollow waveguide attachments of various sizes.

Known for being the all-tissue dental laser that empowers dentists to do a wide range of hard tissue and soft tissue procedures reliably anesthesia-free and elevates the patient experience to an entirely new level, Solea should also be recognized for the science that is responsible for its remarkable performance. However, what may be even more vital to emphasize is the simplicity that comes from the complex research and development, which allows any dentist in the field to become a laser dentist without sacrificing clinical efficacy.

To add the science of the Solea dental laser to your practice, contact Convergent Dental.