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Interview: ‘An alternative to any procedure’

Dr. John Russo talks about the benefits of his Ellman radiosurgery unit and why the return on investment is so good. (Photo: Ellman International)
Dental Tribune USA

Dental Tribune USA

Sat. 15 August 2015

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John Russo DDS, MHS, is a periodontist in Sarasota, Fla. He graduated from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry and received a periodontics certificate from the Medical University of South Carolina as well as a master in health sciences degree. Today he is a clinical assistant professor of periodontics at the Medical University of South Carolina, a diplomat of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and a nationally recognized expert in dental implants and bone grafting.

One of the products Russo spends a lot of time with is his Ellman radiosurgery unit, which can be used for more than 30 different dental procedures and appeals to those ready to move beyond the scalpel as well as those looking for an alternative to lasers and electrocautery units.

Russo said he has been using his unit for more than 10 years on a daily basis. In an interview, he offers a little more insight into what he likes about it.

What do you use your Ellman radiosurgery unit for? How many procedures can it be used for?
The Ellman radiosurgery unit can be used as an alternative to any procedure performed with a scalpel. I use my unit for: cautery of donor sites for gingival grafts, making incisions, harvesting donor tissue for soft-tissue grafts, excisional biopsies, gingivoplasty, removal of pigmentation, frenectomies and many other procedures.

What do you see as the benefit of Ellman’s radiofrequency technology as compared to lasers and electrocautery?
In my experience, the Ellman radiosurgery unit has significantly less collateral thermal penetration/damage than electrosurgery units. Another benefit is I do not have to “ground” my patients prior to using the technology. With my Ellman unit, I can cauterize bleeding vessels larger than 0.3 mm whereas my laser will only cauterize vessels smaller than 0.3 mm. Also with the Ellman unit, I have a choice of multiple tips that can be used in different circumstances and locations of the mouth and can also be bent for more customized access.

How are the results?
The results can be described as “laser-like” surgery. The result of cutting or cauterizing tissue with the Ellman unit is minimal heat production and minimal depth of tissue penetration.

Does your Ellman provide good return on investment?
When comparing the cost of my Ellman unit to my laser, the Ellman is significantly less expensive and allows me to perform more treatments, mostly due to the availability of different tips for different procedures. The Ellman has been a great return on investment.

 

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