Fostering Professional and Personal Growth Through Dental Laser Technology

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Fostering Professional and Personal Growth Through Dental Laser Technology

By Dr. Christopher Walinski

An industry pioneer

I have been using dental lasers for more than 20 years, and have been referred to as a pioneer of laser dentistry long before it found its way into practices across the globe. I made the decision to adopt laser technology at the Yankee Dental Congress in Boston in 1999. I was fascinated by the technology and immediately invested in BIOLASE’s Erbium [Er,Cr:YSGG] and Diode dental lasers. Spending that much on technology in one day, I was nervous, but the return on investment my practice experienced was impressive, unlike anything I had experienced before; recouping my initial investment with added revenue within the first year. I was hooked!

The influence of a laser

When I first incorporated lasers into my dental practice in 1999, I didn’t think there were any other laser dentists within a 100-mile radius. In this day and age, patients expect the most modern and proven source of care, and in dentistry, lasers are as high-tech as it gets. I was able to set my practice apart from others because I marketed my practice as a facility that utilized the most innovative technology available. Reporters and other practitioners across the country began to contact me, intrigued by how the technology worked, as well as the increased caliber of care I was able to offer my patients. Those were exciting times and at the forefront of emerging technology.

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Putting lasers to the test

I was drawn to hard tissue dental lasers because I wanted to cut cavity preparations more gently, rather than using a conventional high-speed handpiece. At the time, many dental professionals were unaware that these lasers could be used for endodontic treatments, periodontal procedures, soft tissue, and much more. 20 years ago, dental lasers were ahead of their time due to their versatility and minimally invasive treatment results.

Patients often do their own research when considering a healthcare provider and dentistry is no different. More often than not, patients seek me out because they know lasers will offer them the highest quality treatment. For example, a well-known public speaker approached me with the task of installing 20 veneers with the caveat that he wanted them prepared with a laser instead of a drill. He was only interested in receiving the best possible care and felt that an aesthetic dentist who was proficient with lasers would offer him the results that he was seeking. We have all experienced patients who desire a final result that is whiter and brighter than we think appropriate, and this case was no exception – he was thrilled.

Courtesy of Dr. Christopher Walinski.

Lasers change more than oral health …They changed my life!

Overall, I would not be where I am today without having added dental lasers to my dental practice. I debuted a text on laser dentistry in 2003 which has been re-published in more than ten languages. I’ve lectured and made presentations nationally and internationally in more than 40 countries at this point. Ultimately, dental lasers have changed my life, from the people I’ve met, the colleagues I’ve known, and friends I’ve made along the way. Dental lasers have allowed me to follow an interesting career path, give back to my community, and have successful dental practices on both coasts. I am so thankful for the personal and professional growth they’ve allowed me to achieve.

About Dr. Christopher Walinski

Dr. Christopher Walinski, DDS, is the Director of Laser Dentistry and an Associate Professor of Dental Medicine at the Touro College of Dental Medicine (TCDM). He joined TCDM in 2018 and previously served as an Associate Professor at the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in Memphis. As a renowned expert in laser dentistry, Dr. Walinski brings the latest advancements in this innovative field to TCDM’s curriculum.

Dr. Walinski has been an author, inventor, and innovator in Laser Dentistry for over two decades and has authored a text on laser dentistry that has been translated into over 10 languages. He is currently the Executive Director of the World Clinical Laser Institute and is a Fellow of the International College of Dentists and the Royal Academy of Medicine, and holds six Fellowships in all.

Dr. Walinski is a Visiting Professor at Taipei Medical University College of Oral Medicine and the National University of La Plata in Buenos Aires, emphasizing dentistry using lasers and other minimally invasive techniques.

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