December 5, 2007, Mercerville and Denville, NJ--Laser Energetics and Lantis Laser signed a Memo Of Understanding to form a joint venture, on a 50:50 basis, to market and distribute Laser Energetics' BrightStar Alexandrite laser for dental applications.
One of the first applications identified involves removing calculus (bacterial tartar) from teeth. Hygienist's scaling, while necessary and effective, is not comfortable to most patients. Laser removal of calculus is achieved without contact. In addition, according to Laser Energetics, the BrightStar laser is compact, low-cost (to build), and thus more cost effective and profitable for practitioners compared to other technologies.
"The primary cause of periodontal disease is bacteria that harbor within the plaque and calculus (tartar) matrix which adheres to the teeth above and below the gumline," said Craig Gimbel, vice president of clinical affairs at Lantis. "Unlike present day conventional hand and ultrasonic scalers used by the dentist and hygienist, this new laser scaling technology will allow effortless removal of dental plaque and calculus (tartar) without touching the tooth and with no discomfort, pressure or vibration. Research has demonstrated that the alexandrite laser is ideal for tooth scaling."
Under the terms of the MOU, Lantis Laser has ordered from Laser Energetics both a laser and a cost-effectiveness manufacturing study to optimize the laser design to meet the needs of the dental market. These deliverables will be completed before the end of the year. Laser Energetics will be responsible for the development of the compact dental laser and manufacturing the system to the dental specification.
"Our goal is to take Laser Energetic's expertise in alexandrite lasers and combine it with the expertise that Lantis Laser has in the field of dentistry," said Robert Battis, chairmand and CEO of Laser Energetics. "With Lantis, which has created an infrastructure to service the dental marketplace, we will identify as many uses as possible for BrightStar in dentistry. It is estimated that there are 100,000 dental offices in the United States and another 100,000 offices in Europe, Japan, and other first-world countries. Our expectation is that we will be selling BrightStar into this market at a price of approximately $40,000 per laser package."