Tools of the trade: Fotona LightWalker AT-S

by Dr Timothy Goh, Oxford Dental Practice, Unley, SA

Over the years, I’ve owned many lasers but the Fotona LightWalker can be used with more procedures than any other laser I’ve used. It’s also the fastest and cleanest dental laser I’ve ever used.

What’s good about it

It’s a multifunctional dental laser with Erbium YAG and Nd:YAG options. It can be used on hard tissue, for doing restorations and for bone removal. It can be used for soft tissue surgical procedures including frenectomies, endodontics and gum surgery. An attachment makes it suitable for teeth whitening and it can be used to treat snoring. It can also be used to treat facial wrinkles, remove spider veins and for skin resurfacing and skin tightening. It’s the most useful tool I have ever purchased.

It’s very quick and easy to operate. A touch screen allows you to change between the different types of lasers and there is a broad range of handpieces to suit each different application.

All the soft tissue work I’ve done with this laser, including tongue ties, frenectomies and gum surgery, have not required any anaesthetic. Likewise, the majority of hard tissue work didn’t require anaesthetic—the patients only felt some very minor discomfort. Post-surgery, the healing is fast and clean.

I’ve been very happy with this laser. In fact, it’s probably the most useful piece of dental equipment I’ve ever purchased.

What’s not so good

It’s very expensive. However, it does pay itself off quickly because you can use it with such a large range of procedures. I have easily exceeded the lease on the machine every month.

The only other issue is that the Nd:YAG fibre is in a slightly inconvenient position and can be damaged if you’re not careful.

Where did you get it

Innovative Medical Technologies.