Dr. Charles Yair Caplan: "Our Patients Are Always Smiling"

The technology that enables laser dental treatments has been around for quite some time. Using a laser offers various advantages when it comes to dental treatments – faster and more accurate treatment, quick recovery, sterility and other pluses that we will mention later. But, although these treatments are available in a variety of clinics throughout the country, they haven’t yet become the industry standard. In a conversation with Dr. Charles Yair Caplan, he explains the advantages of the laser, the types of treatments it can and cannot perform, and the importance of open communication with the patient regarding treatment.

"Laser treatment is both faster and more sterile"

Dr. Caplan has been practicing dentistry for four decades. After completing his studies at the University of Glasgow in Scotland and the Academy of Dental Medicine in California, he immigrated to Israel and served in the medical corps for 30 years – as a military dentist in Lebanon, in a field hospital, and as a combat soldier. Today, Dr. Caplan manages a private clinic specializing, among other things, in laser dental treatments. According to him, since 1997 the clinic has performed over 22,000 laser dental treatments.

Who is laser treatment suitable for?

Dr. Caplan explains that laser dental treatments can be suitable for everyone due to the speed of the treatment, the sterility, and the negligible pain compared to standard tools such as a drill or scalpel. In addition, the laser also numbs the tooth, which sometimes saves having to use anesthetics: "We can perform 85% of restoration (filling) treatments without the need for anesthetics – of course, according to the patient's wishes."

Preventing inflammation and bleeding

Certainly we would all be happy for shorter and less painful dental treatments, but there are populations for whom the advantages that the laser provides are dramatic: "Because the treatment is both faster and more sterile, it provides significant relief to cancer patients, patients with serious diseases in general, the elderly who have blood pressure issues and diabetes," says Dr. Caplan. "After laser treatment, there is less need for antibiotics compared to the classic treatments, and less tendency to inflammation. Inflammations are common in those who suffer from a compromised immune system. The laser helps reduce the risk."

He adds that "diabetics have a tendency to gum inflammations, so their treatment requires a combination of drugs, such as mouthwash, and treatments at the clinic. In this case, too, sterility offers a major advantage, but in addition, the laser treatments are easier compared to gum surgery. Repeated gum treatments over and over again can be traumatic and cause the patient to avoid coming to the clinic. On the other hand, repeated laser treatment is not a big deal.”

“People who take blood-thinners, for example after a stroke or heart attack, are often asked to stop taking the drugs for three days in case of surgery or extraction. Fortunately, the laser prevents bleeding, so in clinics equipped with the device, there is no need to stop taking the medication for fear of excessive bleeding. Thanks to the laser, it is possible to continue taking the same necessary medicines even close to the scheduled dental treatment."

What laser treatments can be performed?

According to Dr. Caplan, the prominent advantages of using laser devices for dental treatments are seen in several common treatments: restorations, root canals and treatment of gingivitis. He explains: "The laser technique makes it possible to make smaller fillings, saving tooth due to its selective action in a third of the time using only conventional drills – both because the control of the device is more precise, and also because the laser is selective – it only works on the soft, 'decayed material, and has difficulty cutting through a healthy tooth. This enables us, the dentists, to have better control and maximum accuracy."

"The laser is usually used in combination with classical methods"

"In root canal treatments, the laser’s advantage over a drill is dramatic," claims Dr. Caplan. "In root canal treatment with traditional tools, between 15% to 50% of the bacteria remain after treatment in lateral canals and difficult to reach areas and this may cause inflammation and failure of treatment however using lasers to conventional techniques provides sterilization of close to 100%. In addition, the laser allows us to clean the side canals of the tooth, which can save it from extraction."

When it comes to treating gingivitis and gum surgery, Dr. Caplan explains that using a laser device leads to quicker treatment and faster recovery as well: "Standard gum surgery is done by cutting the gum and closing it with stitches afterwards. In the days following surgery, the patient may suffer from swelling, which is one of the main causes of pain after surgery. The sterility of the laser, and its effect on the cells in the gum prevent swelling – which enables a much faster recovery than with the standard method."

Of course, there are other treatments that can be performed using a laser, such as, for example, rapid teeth whitening, which is a treatment that has long been popular. But like other groundbreaking inventions, the laser alone cannot replace all types of treatments: "It is important to understand that the laser is usually used in combination with traditional methods. For example, the laser is not suitable for removing a metal filling, but I will usually use the standard tools to remove the filling and will use the laser for cleaning only."

"Our patients are always smiling"

For Dr. Caplan, the secret of success is not only in the use of the laser device. The choice to specialize in laser treatments is only one aspect of the therapeutic approach he promotes. He explains: "Our clinic advocates preserving what exists – the existing teeth. Thanks to the precision of laser treatments we have a greater chance to save patients from extractions and implants. There is nothing better than what nature gave us, and the world of medicine still can’t reproduce it exactly. Our patients always smile, and our goal is for them to smile with their natural teeth."

As part of this approach, he also believes that the patient should be equipped with the knowledge relevant to his treatment so that he understands the various alternatives and can determine the most suitable treatment method for him: "While it is true that ultimately the doctor is the professional, and he is responsible for making decisions, it is still important to me that the patients understand why I decided on one treatment or another. I want them to have the full picture, without having to become dentists themselves," he says in conclusion.

For more information about laser dental treatments >>
Phone: 054-3034315
Address: 28 Gaaton, Nahariya
https://dentalaser.co.il/

Partnered with Dr. Charles Yair Caplan