Dental News - Sound surgical strategy can improve both patient comfort and esthetic results

Robert Selleck, DTA

Mon. 1 December 2014

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NEW YORK, N.Y., USA: One of the benefits the exhibit floor of major conferences such as the Greater New York Dental Meeting offer is the ability to encounter fellow dentists who are already using the technology or instrument you’re considering. Those visiting the Ellman International booth at the New York meeting need not rely on happenstance for such an encounter.

John Brescia, DDS, was on hand to share his in-practice perspective on Ellman’s radiofrequency surgical system. For those stopping by the booth, there was a good chance that while getting insights from Brescia, a general dentist, periodontist, oral surgeon or other professional would stop to add his or her own impromptu endorsement. It’s that type of technology. Converts can’t seem to resist becoming advocates.

“I don’t use a scalpel anymore,” Brescia said. “This completely replaces it. Everything I previously did with a scalpel, I can do with this. Except it’s easier to use, has excellent control of bleeding and has exceptional esthetic results.”

Ellman Senior Sales Manager Scott Berger said the RF system’s broad range of capabilities prompts interest from every sector of dentistry. “It’s not limited to specific uses,” Berger said. “It can be used for more than 30 different dental procedures.” The technology appeals not only to dentists ready to move beyond the scalpel, it also attracts those looking for an alternative to lasers and electrocautery units.

Brescia has been using the technology in his private practice in Chicago for almost 25 years, consistently upgrading as Ellman releases advancements.

“Another benefit is that it’s more ergonomic,” Brescia said. “A scalpel doesn’t allow ease of access to difficult areas of the mouth the way this does. It’s a micro-fine surgery tool; and that’s what most dentists are — we’re micro-surgeons. We work in small, defined areas of the teeth where ‘less is more.’ We want to be minimally invasive, and that’s what this allows us to do.”

According to the company, cutting soft tissue with high-frequency radio waves instead of light waves reduces heat, so there is no charring, and there is minimal — if any — bleeding. Instead, as water in the tissue is volatilized the process aids coagulation.

“The less heat, the less the post-operative sensitivity,” Brescia said. “And typically, no analgesics are required. It’s also more portable, has lower maintenance costs than a laser and enables a quicker return on investment.”

“It’s a true workhorse,” Berger said. “You can use it for so many procedures — and there’s less healing time needed and less discomfort for your patients.”

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