Diode Laser Online School with John Graeber

— Gain understanding of how optical science interacts with oral biological tissues
— Employ necessary safety precautions in the operation of diode lasers during patient treatment
— Apply diode laser techniques to enhance clinical treatment outcomes
— Understand appropriate diode laser protocols for treating common dental pathologies
— Acquire the knowledge required to integrate diode lasers into patient treatment
— Attain sufficient understanding of diode lasers to achieve a passing grade on the included proficiency examination.

— Introduction to diode laser in dentistry
— Basic science of diode lasers
— Laser-tissue interaction
— Clinical applications of diode lasers
— Integration of diode laser into clinical practice
— Safety and regulatory considerations.

— Principles of laser-tissue interaction
— Effects on soft tissue: 
 

- Coagulation and hemostasis
- Cutting and ablation
- Biostimulation and wound healing.
 

— Factors affecting laser-tissue interaction:

- Laser parameters (power, wavelength, mode)
- Tissue characteristics
- Exposure time and technique.

— Importance of safety in dental laser use
— Overview of potential hazards
— Regulatory and professional guidelines
— Wavelength-specific hazards
— Diode, Nd:YAG, Er:YAG
— Controlled laser settings and protocols.

— Absorption, reflection, and scattering in gingival tissue
— Wavelength selection and tissue response
— Thermal effects and healing considerations
— Types of lasers used for troughing
— Power, pulse, and mode selection
— Step-by-step protocol for soft tissue management
— Handling different gingival biotypes
— Impression procedures after laser troughing.

— Step-by-step protocol for pocket treatment
— Managing depth, angulation, and tissue contact
— Common errors and how to avoid them
— Managing adverse tissue reactions
— Analysis of clincal cases. 

— Selection criteria for laser type based on tissue characteristics and clinical objectives
— Indications for laser gingivectomy and gingivoplasty
— Preoperative assessment, including periodontal evaluation and patient medical history
— Laser settings and parameters: power, mode, pulse duration, and wavelength considerations
— Advantages of laser procedures over conventional methods
— Integration of laser gingivectomy and gingivoplasty into comprehensive periodontal and restorative treatment plans.

— Assessment of biologic width and considerations for restorative margins
— Evaluation of soft tissue and bone relationship prior to laser crown lengthening
— Laser parameters, wavelength selection, and appropriate settings for safe and effective tissue removal
— Step-by-step technique for soft tissue crown lengthening using a diode laser
— Clinical technique for pontic site development using a diode laser
— Integration of soft tissue management with provisional restorations and final prosthesis design
— Prevention of tissue recession and maintenance of esthetic gingival architecture
— Management of complications and troubleshooting in diode laser soft tissue procedures.

— Overview of laser-assisted procedures in implant placement and maintenance
— Principles of diode laser-tissue interaction relevant to peri-implant tissues
— Wavelength characteristics and absorption by soft tissue and bacterial pigments
— Biological effects of diode lasers on peri-implant mucosa and biofilm
— Advantages of diode lasers compared to mechanical or chemical decontamination methods
— Indications for diode laser use in implant surgery and maintenance
— Laser-assisted second stage surgery and uncovering of implants
— Management of peri-implant soft tissues for improved emergence profile and aesthetics;

— Biological effects of laser energy on epithelium, connective tissue, and vascular components
— Indications for laser-assisted mucogingival surgery
— Comparison between conventional surgical techniques and laser-assisted approaches
— Step-by-step technique for laser-assisted mucogingival surgery
— Analysis of clinical cases. 

— Preoperative assessment and case selection for laser-assisted surgical procedures
— Application of diode laser in extraction cases and minimally invasive micro-surgery
— Step-by-step clinical technique for excisional and incisional procedures using diode laser
— Management of hemostasis, visibility, and precision during laser surgery
— Analysis of clinical cases. 

— Managing complex and anatomically challenging root canal systems
— Advanced concepts of laser patency, laser recapitulation and laser drainage and decompression
— Treatment challenges encountered during root canal therapy
— Analysis of clinical cases.

— Reducing treatment duration with accelerated tooth movement techniques
— The effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) on the acceleration of orthodontic movement
— Step-by-step protocols for accelerated orthodontic treatment with laser therapy
— Laser-assisted management of iatrogenic irritation
— Laser-assisted treatment for muscular spasms
— Clinical case analysis
— Literature and research analysis on photobiomodulation and the concept of accelerated orthodontics.

— Basic principles of photobiomodulation and cellular response to low-level laser energy
— Mechanisms of action
— Biological effects of 810 nm wavelength on soft tissue healing, inflammation reduction, and pain control
— Differences between high-power surgical lasers and low-level therapeutic lasers. 

— Advantages of incorporating diode laser procedures into daily workflow
— Evaluation of clinical indications including soft tissue management, decontamination, and biostimulation
— Criteria for selecting appropriate laser systems based on practice needs and treatment goals
— Development of clinical protocols and standard operating procedures for laser applications
— Workflow optimization to ensure efficiency and minimal chairside time during laser procedures
— Interdisciplinary collaboration and coordination between dental specialists using diode lasers.