Dentists face many dilemmas during their active practice years: Whether to make changes in techniques, materials, and new equipment. One of these is deciding how to adopt laser technology. Dental lasers are not new, but their adoption into daily practice may seem daunting as it transcends traditional methodology. Cutting with a beam of light is a big change from a scalpel. To successfully integrate any new technology, it is highly advisable to seek training before using it on patients. It is recommended that appointments involving new techniques be lengthened to ease the transition. As part of the decision-making process, it also makes business sense to assess the potential for return on investment (ROI). Any investment for a practice must be considered in this light.
Dental laser investment does not have to require a bank loan either. The most practically useful and economical purchase is the Soft-Tissue Diode Laser. Priced between $3000 and $10,000, they are roughly equivalent to other small equipment purchase costs like an ultrasonic scaler or electric handpiece. Higher-valued Treatment suggests higher fees. Practitioners need to assess the value given when setting their procedure fees. Should a frenectomy done with a laser which heals faster, is not painful, and requires no sutures worth more to an individual patient than traditional surgery?
Other than the economic side is the patient value side. Diode lasers are a win-win for patients and the practice. Compared to traditional methods of soft tissue surgery and treatment, procedures done with lasers leave the patient astounded that there is no post-operative pain! Patients often request that the laser be used for future treatments. Why? There is no bleeding and no inflammatory phase of healing—no swelling, no exposed nerve endings, etc. Additionally, pain receptors are left in a coagulated state and healing occurs much more rapidly than with any other method.
When a patient feels a perceptible benefit from the use of a technology, they will expect that the value of the treatment is higher and expect the fees charged may be expected to be higher.
Patients also resist being referred for treatment by specialists. More than half of patients typically fail to follow referrals. Having to meet and be treated by a stranger is not comforting or inviting to many patients. The more treatment options we can employ in general practice, the more income we can generate. Diode lasers can be utilized in a number of instances that go beyond many general practices; Frenectomies, Fibroma removals, periodontal treatment, and oral surgical treatments are simplified with the use of a diode laser. Specialty procedures have generally higher fees per hour than general dentistry treatments. Dentists are reminded that the same standard of care applies to both generalists and specialists equally.
Practice Differentiation:
When patients post online comments about a technologically advanced practice, they often refer to why this practice is so much better than their previous dental experiences. Patients are looking for a better dentist. If you are treating people the same as every other local practitioner, what will differentiate your practice from others to the public?
How to report for appropriate insurance reimbursements:
All procedures furnished to patients need to be coded: among those published by the Coding Commission of the ADA (2024), the following list of procedures can be utilized by a dental practitioner for laser-assisted procedures.
