CROWN & VENEER REMOVAL PROTOCOL GUIDE

Clinicians are Replacing More Crowns & Veneers

Now Than Ever Before!
CROWNS AND VENEERS EVENTUALLY MAY CHALLENGES WITH TRADITIONAL METHODS
NEED TO BE REPLACED. One of the biggest challenges is ensuring there is no
The longevity of veneers can be impacted by caries damage/no removal around tooth structure, which
around the margins, discoloration, microleakage of the is more likely to occur with high-speed handpieces
resin cement and marginal fracture of restorations. and diamond burs. Traditional methods are more
While maintaining good oral hygiene can certainly time consuming, restorations are destroyed, and
extend their lifespan, they still may need to be replaced mechanical forces are uncomfortable for patients.
around the 10-year mark. Also, burs/diamonds can wear down and are cost
prohibitive to replace.
IMPROPER PLACEMENT
Another common reason for laser restoration removal
is to correct poor seating/imperfect positioning and be
able to save the restoration to be used again.

Remove Ceramic Crowns & Veneers Safely

and Effectively with Waterlase®

QUICK AND EASY WATERLASE SOLUTIONS PRECISION REMOVAL!

Waterlase is FDA cleared for the removal of ceramic/ Waterlase allows for precision removal while saving
porcelain crowns and veneers. Waterlase laser tooth structure. Laser removal often does not remove
technology degrades the bonding interface, which additional tooth structure, and preserves margins.
leads to quick and easy removal of the restoration After removing restoration, any remaining
from the tooth surface, often in a single piece cement is typically easily removed
without damage! with a curette.

SAVE TIME!
 Remove individual veneers in less than 60
seconds

 Remove full coverage crowns in less that 5

minutes using laser technology
Laser technology remains at the forefront of
 Save time by reusing the same restoration, esthetic dentistry, and has become the gold
and not having to re-scan the tooth for a new standard for treatment, especially for
restoration. crown and veneer removal.

SAVE RESTORATIONS!
Waterlase’s natural light and cooling water spray
reduces and eliminates the generation of excess heat,
allowing for safe and quick removal without damaging
tooth pulp.
 VENEER RESTORATION REMOVAL
1. Read the laser user manual for settings and
guidelines.
2. Appreciate that the laser energy is targeting the
cement, so the total surface area of the veneer must
be covered for the full effect of micro implosions.
3. Begin by aiming the tip perpendicular to the
restoration surface and slowly moving the tip in a
non-contact mode (1 millimeter form the surface)
in a slow process around the edges of the veneer
Fig. 1 – Er,Cr:YSGG laser tip positioned near the veneer to be removed. (Figures 1-2)
4. Cover the full restoration surface with the laser
beam, moving the tip from mesial to distal and
from incisal to cervical in a back-and-forth or
circular motion.
5. If the veneer is not displaced, repeat steps 3-4.
Note: the veneer may be removed after 60 seconds
of laser treatment. (Figure 4).
6. After covering with the laser, remove the
restoration using a curette under the restoration
edge, If necessary. Remove any residual resin on
the preparation using a curette.

Fig. 2 – Begin by firing the laser around the perimeter of the veneer.

Fig. 3 – Move the laser tip laterally over the entire surface of the veneer. Fig. 4 – Veneer separates at the resin cement junction and is removed.

Recommended Settings
Waterlase Procedure Energy per
Handpiece Tips Power Hz Mode Water Air
System Step Pulse
Advanced
iPlus Gold
(Crown icon) MZ8
Restorative MZ10 3.5 W 20 Hz 175 mJ H 50% 50%
Express Class I or II Express MC12
Comfort Prep
*Not to exceed 320mJ, or 6.25W at 20Hz.

Visit biolase.com/CV-Removal for more information.

CROWN RESTORATION REMOVAL
1. Full coverage crowns are usually thicker than veneers. Settings
used for crown removal are generally higher.
2. Apply the same technique as veneer removal to each of the
surfaces of the crown. All cement under the crown must be
laser-treated.
3. Use the laser as perpendicular as possible to the following
surfaces in a slow circular or lateral motion:
a. Mesial, b. Distal, c. Facial, d. Lingual, e. Occlusal — Fire the
laser for 30 seconds on each plane, covering the entire surface.
(Figure 5)
Fig. 5 – Move the laser tip laterally over the entire surface of
4. Use forceps to detach/pull the crown, such as in an extraction each plane of the crown, fully covering the entire surface.
technique.
5. If one does not observe a response, repeat steps 3-4, ensuring complete coverage. Treat a maximum of 5
minutes total. If it does not come off, use mechanical methodology.

Recommended Settings
Waterlase Procedure Energy per
Handpiece Tips Power* Hz Mode Water Air
System Step Pulse
MZ8
Advanced
iPlus Gold MZ10 4W 20 Hz 200 mJ
(Crown icon)
MC12
H 50% 50%
Restorative MZ8
Express Class I or II Express MZ10 3.7 W 15 Hz 250 mJ
Comfort Prep MC12
*Not to exceed 320mJ, or 6.25W at 20Hz / 4.75W at 15Hz

Frequently Asked Questions

DOES IT WORK ON ZIRCONIA? WHAT DOES IT NOT WORK ON?
Zirconia crowns are ceramics! So, this is effective on No P.F.M Porcelain or Ceramic Fused to Metal! NEVER
all-zirconia, zirconia mixed with lithium disilicate, lithium use on metal or metal-backed surfaces. No Full Metals,
silicate / disilicate. no metal-oxide cements. If there is very bright light
flashing immediately on laser application, stop and
WHAT OTHER MATERIALS DOES IT switch to mechanical removal techniques.
WORK ON?
Specific materials tested and confirmed: all-zirconia WHAT FACTORS INTO REMOVAL TIME?
/ full zirconia, layered zirconia (i.e. porcelain fused All materials above could be treated at the same
zirconia), lithium disilicate, leucite glass. settings. Thicker crowns/veneers need longer time.
Thinner materials needed lower settings as the
WHAT CEMENTS ARE CONFIRMED TO WORK? materials are more prone to fracture. Be sure to
Cements tested and confirmed: resin, resin modified have complete coverage as even one pinhead-sized
glass ionomer, glass ionomer. cement missed by your laser coverage could hold the
restoration on. Overlapping coverage is best. Use larger
diameter tips such as the MZ8.

BIOLASE, Inc. MT Promedt Consulting GmbH

27042 Towne Centre Drive, Suite 270 Ernst-Heckel-Straße 7
Foothill Ranch, CA 92610 66386 St. Ingbert, Germany
biolase.com  833.BIOLASE +49 6894 581020  mt-procons.com
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