No, you are not required to come to Hawaii for training. In the password protected member area, we have written training manuals and BenTips surgical videos available for online training. In addition, we are available to answer questions as well as provide live streaming video training of the BenTips System. We also recommend you order pig jaws from our medical specimen supplier that will be shipped to you so that you can train and practice. The resources above are adequate to become proficient with the BenTips System for many users to the point that you can effectively treat patients. However, some users still do not feel comfortable treating patients after this training. In that case, we recommend coming to Hawaii so that we can train you.

There are basically two types of lasers used in periodontics. First, is the CO2 laser which is non-contact and ablates gum tissue from a distance. These function well for pocket reduction, but tend to work very slowly unless the power is increased in which case excess heat can be generated that results in extensive charring and significant post operative pain. In addition, these CO2 laser systems tend to be extremely costly and require maintenance. The second type of laser often used in periodontics are the diode, ND:YAG and other laser types that transmit their energy through a fiber that is inserted into the pocket with the idea that the energy will kill bacteria and provide for regeneration of the periodontium. A review of the available data by the American Academy of Periodontology clearly demonstrates minimal clinically meaningful benefit to the patient with less than 1 mm of additional attachment gain, although increased post operative pain is often experienced by the patient. With no predictably significant patient benefit, a high equipment cost and a propensity for increased pain, we don’t see any compelling reason to use a laser for periodontal treatment. AAP LASER REVIEW

The BenTips system consists of PEEK plastic tips mounted on the end of a powerful piezosurgery handpiece. This is not a piezo scaler system although it can be depowered by the clinician to function as a scaler. When activated, the vibrating PEEK tips cut and ablate gingiva resulting in improved visualization of subgingival calculus, and/or periodontal pocket reduction, with minimal bleeding as compared to traditional procedures performed with a knife or scalpel. The BenTips system is akin to the Harmonic Scalpel or Ultrasonic Knife used in the medical surgery specialties.

Rarely. Most of the post op tooth sensitivity that we encounter is in patients with poor plaque control or those patients that smoke heavily, or patients that suffer from bruxism. The remainder of cases of tooth sensitivity tends to be very localized and temporary. Don’t forget that for almost a century, periodontists have performed extensive pocket reduction and root exposure and have only encountered occasional issues with tooth sensitivity.

Regeneration of the periodontium is definitely preferred when possible, but in the vast majority of cases, its simply not possible to the point of being a waste of time and resources to attempt it. Regeneration only predictably occurs in vertical osseous defects in the mandibular posterior and maxillary anterior. Regeneration will usually fail in the maxillary posterior and mandibular anterior regions. Keep in mind that the overwhelming majority of periodontal lesions represent horizontal bone loss which is almost never amenable to regeneration.

Preparing our patients by explaining that they will have these spaces is the most important aspect of the initial consultation. In the posterior sextants, other than mild annoyance of needing to clean these areas, we don’t encounter many significant patient complaints. In the anterior region, these spaces can be a cosmetic/aesthetic issue, but these spaces can often be effectively dealt with using the techniques as taught by Dr. David Clark using his BIOCLEAR MATRIX system composites. The alternative to not doing pocket reduction is attempting to “maintain” these deep pockets or performing regenerative procedures which are both prone to failure.

In the BenTips online shop, the BenTips Starter System and the BenTips Complete System are available for purchase after you sign the licensing agreement and are given access to the shop.

If you’d like to try out BenTips in the most cost-effective manner, then the BenTips Starter System is the right choice. It includes everything you need to get started performing the BenTips Enhanced SRP, Internal Ablation For Visualization, and External Ablation in most cases. It includes 100 Star Tips and two each of the Shaft 45 and Shaft 90, which are the favorite tip of most clinicians. You can always add more components later as you become more proficient with BenTips and want to broaden your skill set and types of patients you treat.

The BenTips Complete System will have everything you need to perform all the BenTips procedures, including all the different types of PEEK tips and a full set of BenTips Gold Inserts along with Holder Boxes which are very convenient to store the tips and shafts. In addition, there are duplicates of these items that will allow you to treat a patient while another complete set of components is being sterilized. This will allow you to treat patients “back to back” with no sterilization delay. The advantage of this BenTips Complete System is that it will include everything you need to perform all the BenTips procedures in all patients on a regular basis at a reduced cost as compared to purchasing the BenTips Starter System and then adding the additional components.