Q & A

Touro College of Dental Medicine is home to Dr. Chris Walinski, a world-renowned cosmetic dentist who balances his skill, professionalism and care to provide an unmatched dental experience. Dr. Walinski is committed to providing each patient an uncommon level of comfort in a state-of-the-art office environment. With his natural, gentle touch and minimally-invasive procedures, you and your mouth will be in good hands. For over 30 years, he has helped patients show off their best smiles using the most advanced techniques to improve both the patient experience and their clinical outcomes. It has been over 20 years since Dr. Walinski developed a keen interest in the numerous benefits and healing power of dental lasers. Fast forward to today, and he is considered by many to be one of the top 3 dentists worldwide in laser innovation and expertise.

Dr. Walinski has the distinction of being one of the first dentists in the country to be fully trained and licensed to perform Laser Periodontal Therapy, an FDA cleared and patented laser gum therapy that greatly reduces the pain and recovery time associated with traditional gum surgery. 

In addition, Dr. Walinski was:

• One of the first experts in using the Waterlase all-tissue laser;
• The first to write an instructional manual on all-tissue laser use, first published in 2003;
• One of the founding members of the world's largest laser organization - the World Clinical Laser Institute (WCLI), and is now its Executive Director;
• One of the first dentists to use the first ever digital dental laser in the U.S. marketplace for Laser Assisted Gum Surgery; 
• The first dentist in the country to use the Elexxion Claros 50 Watt diode laser clinically;
• The first dentist in the country to use the Biolase 940nm EZLase diode laser clinically, and;
• The primary investigator for the recent FDA clearance for removing porcelain veneers atraumatically using an erbium laser.

How can someone devote much of their professional life to an area of dentistry so few know about? Below are some of the benefits of using a laser instead of a drill:

• Heat and vibration are the causes of most of the pain associated with the dental drill. Since lasers reduce heat and vibration, many dental procedures can be performed with less local anesthesia.
• The laser's pinpoint accuracy is precise enough that we are able to leave behind as much healthy tooth structure as possible, allowing you to keep your own teeth longer (minimally-invasive).
• Effectively performs numerous soft tissue (gum) procedures with little or no bleeding. The laser gives us a new high-tech tool for many procedures that previously required stitches. Now you can have them performed during your regularly scheduled appointment with no bleeding or discomfort.
• Avoids many common problems of the high speed drill, including cracks in the teeth from the vibration and rapid turning of the drill burs which has been shown to weaken your teeth, creating future problems. Have you ever had a tooth break for "no reason?"
• The laser sterilizes while it is working, leaving less chance for bacterial contamination. This is especially helpful in root canal therapy, as bacteria is the #1 cause of pain associated with a diseased nerve. In general, being able to reduce bacterial levels is beneficial in all medical and dental procedures.
• A dental laser prepares your teeth in a way that maximizes the bonding of tooth colored fillings, allowing them to last longer, with far less post-operative sensitivity than traditional methods.

Laser Safety
With such a precision, lasers provides pinpoint accuracy, reducing the chance of causing damage to healthy tissues. These instruments are as safe as anything used in dentistry. The only safety measure necessary during laser treatment is proper protective glasses, which we provide for your use.

Finally, what about cost? Performing a procedure with a laser adds nothing to the cost of having dental work done. The savings come in the form of saving time. Dental appointments tend to take less time because of the efficiency involved.

 Dental Lasers can be used in the following situations:

• Decay Removal 
• Desensitize extremely sensitive root surfaces 
• Detection of cavities not visible on x-rays 
• Cavity Preparation 
• Treating gum disease 
• Improving the success of root canal therapy 
• Reshape "gummy" smiles 
• Laser bleaching/whitening 
• General soft tissue procedures 
• Eliminating tongue ties, and improving tissue health and appearance
• Soft tissue biopsies 
• General dentistry for tooth preparations 

Has your dentist told you that you need gum surgery? Laser Periodontal Therapy (LPT) can have many advantages over traditional periodontal (gum) surgery. It has been cleared by the FDA and has been shown to be successful in scientific studies as an alternative to surgery for appropriate candidates. LPT is a patient-friendly, minimally-invasive procedure that’s a great improvement over standard gum surgery. 

LPT is a unique breakthrough in periodontal treatments. If you have been told you need scalpel and suture gum surgery, there's a laser alternative you need to learn about. If you're like 100 million other Americans, you could be one of the 50% of Americans who have periodontal disease, the major cause of tooth loss in adults. Periodontal disease starts off as plaque, an opaque film which eventually hardens, forming tartar or calculus.

Calculus deposits harbor bacteria which infect the gums. In early stages, this is called Gingivitis, characterized by red, swollen gums that may bleed when you brush your teeth. Some people experience bad breath and an unpleasant taste in their mouths as well. Unchecked, Gingivitis progresses to Periodontitis, a much more serious form of the disease where periodontal pockets are formed, separating teeth from the gums and supporting bone. Without treatment, infection becomes severe and the pockets deepen, which may result in tooth loss.

The way to repair the damage is to eliminate the infection and close up the pockets. Until recently, that meant traditional surgery and sutures. But today, LPT, a patient-friendly, minimally-invasive procedure that’s a great improvement over standard gum surgery may be the solution for you.