I've been doing laser dentistry for 23 years and I can honestly say that a laser is one of the things that I couldn't work without, and yet so many dentists still do. It makes so many of my procedures so much more efficient and comfortable for my patients, it's just a win/win all around. For the past few years, I've been using Ultradent's Gemini® 810 + 980 diode laser in my office and it's become my favorite laser I've ever used.

Dr. Mike Miyasaki, dental key opinion leader, clinician, and lecturer.

I have to be honest about what first attracted me to the Gemini laser, and that's how it looked! The electroluminescent display, wireless foot pedal, and small, sleek design really drew me in. It looks very modern, and I loved that about it. But as we all know, looks aren't everything—and they're certainly not something that would make me buy a laser if its functionality wasn't absolutely top of the line.

The Gemini laser's modern look features an electroluminescent display, and cordless foot pedal.

So, in addition to its spectacular look, here are the three things I love most about my Gemini laser, and the reasons why I think every, and I mean every dentist in the country could benefit from having at least one (I have two!) in their office. 

Versatility

I love the versatility of the Gemini soft-tissue laser because it's so applicable to what we do in restorative dentistry on a day-to-day basis. I use it for esthetic dentistry and periodontic therapy as well. As far as restorative dentistry goes, I use my laser for gingival troughing (so I don't have to pack a cord), gingival recontouring (especially to create better esthetics with gingival symmetry), gingival zenith placement, implant uncovering, and so much more. From a periodontal aspect, I love using my laser to treat periodontal disease and in cases where traditional root scaling and planing isn't enough. I also love using it on cold sores for my patients. It helps them heal so much faster. 

The Gemini laser can be used for a wide variety of procedures, all with presets on its electroluminescent display for ease of use.

There are some less common procedures (or rather, procedures that I perform less often) that I use the Gemini laser for as well. These include pulpotomies, incision and drainage replacement, fibroma removal, etc. The Gemini laser really comes in handy for these when they do come up. 

Ease of Use

Having the tips pre-initiated is nice, and the portability of the entire unit is so great. Because there is a battery in the base and no cord, it's easy to move from operatory to operatory. However, as I mentioned previously, we have two Gemini lasers in my practice—one for the restorative team and one for the perio procedures for the hygienist. It's been a great investment for us and saves so much time. 

Also, I love the fact that the handpiece is autoclavable and the fiber is illuminated. Those are really nice features. You can also bend the tip to any angle you'd like, making it possible to easily use the laser in all areas of the mouth. In the past, I've found that the angles of the tip with other lasers aren't as easily adjustable, making it so you can't get to certain areas of the mouth. 

The Gemini laser's tip illuminates for optimal visibility in all parts of the mouth.

Last, I just love the size of the Gemini laser. Like I mentioned earlier, it's not heavy, and it makes moving it around the office from operatory to operatory really easy and hassle-free. 

Super-Pulsing

The Gemini laser's super-pulsing feature allows for cleaner cutting, less charring, and optimal patient comfort and healing time.

The biggest benefit to the Gemini laser's super-pulsing feature is patient comfort! I notice that I get a cleaner ablation of the tissue and it's quick. It heals faster than an incision with a blade as well, so that's great. I've heard clinicians argue that they can get something done faster with a blade by just making an incision versus vaporizing the tissue with overlapping strokes with a laser, but the patient's bleeding and managing their post-op discomfort ends up costing more time in the end. The only thing that might be faster is the actual incision, but everything else surrounding that is quicker and more efficient with a soft-tissue laser—making the procedure as a whole faster. 

Support

Something I love specifically about the Gemini laser is the ongoing support I get from my representative and from Ultradent. The Gemini laser is Bluetooth-enabled, so I can get troubleshooting and my problem fixed remotely without having to send the unit in. And when I purchased the laser, I got extensive training for using it right out of the gate. That takes the intimidation factor of purchasing and using a laser out of the whole process. It's not daunting, thanks to the support Ultradent and their reps give their customers. With many other companies, once they've sold you their laser, oftentimes the sale is done and they don't really have a reason to come back around to your office. It's the opposite of that with Ultradent! I also appreciate the quality of the device and the fact that it's made in the USA. 

The Gemini laser is made in the USA.

Nowadays, with soft-tissue lasers and their affordability, effectiveness, and wide range of uses, today's clinicians should take a moment to learn more about them and evaluate whether or not they might have a use for one in their practice. I have a feeling many of them would be pleasantly surprised to learn that having a soft-tissue laser would be beneficial in so many ways for them, their patients, and their practice. Lasers are just so easy, so safe, and so effective at making our clinical life better that the value is obvious. I don't think there's a dentist out there (or you'd be hard-pressed to find one) that couldn't benefit from a soft-tissue laser in their practice, and even if they feel they couldn't personally benefit, their patients would 100% benefit.

To learn more or to purchase a Gemini 810 + 980 diode laser, click here!