Breaking through clinical barriers in everyday dentistry

Dr. Jennifer Hechko shares how she reduced anesthesia, improved healing, and uncovered practice growth

As a pediatric dentist, my mission has always been to create a gentle, efficient, and positive dental experience for children and their parents. Over the years, I have integrated therapy dogs, created a calming environment, and constantly sought out tools that elevate clinical care. One of the most transformative decisions I made was getting into laser dentistry, followed closely by upgrading from an erbium laser to a 9.3micron CO₂ all-tissue laser.

I initially trained on an erbium laser hoping to reduce anesthesia, vibration, and aerosols while expanding my soft tissue offerings. While it had some benefits, I quickly learned its limitations. The wavelength’s absorption depth in soft tissue was shallow, leading to more bleeding and less effective coagulation than I wanted. I also found that my hard tissue preparations lacked depth and consistency, more often than not requiring me to switch back to a highspeed handpiece. The fiberoptic cables were costly and delicate — I burned out four of them at significant expense — and the unit frequently needed service with weekslong wait times for repairs. While I was committed to leveraging laser dentistry, I knew I needed something more reliable, efficient, and capable of delivering true hard-and-soft tissue versatility.

When I began researching alternatives, the Solea All Tissue Laser (9.3micron CO₂) immediately stood out. Unlike the erbium, Solea’s wavelength is highly absorbed by hydroxyapatite and water, making it uniquely effective for both enamel and soft tissue. The result? Smoother, faster cutting, excellent coagulation, and little to no need for local anesthesia. For pediatric patients, that difference is life-changing. Instead of the stress of injections, I can treat multiple quadrants in a single visit. Parents appreciate the reduced chair time and fewer school absences, and I see dramatically less procedural anxiety.

Clinically, the transition was profound. My Class II production more than doubled after adopting Solea, and my workflow became dramatically more efficient. I can sit down and go straight to work — no waiting for anesthesia, no switching between tools. I feel like a better practitioner providing my patients and their caregivers with the best clinical outcomes and the best patient experience.

Soft tissue surgery has also improved. For maxillary frenectomies, uncovering permanent teeth, and even gingival recontouring, I now achieve blood-free, suture-free results that heal beautifully. Parents are amazed when their child needs nothing more than a single dose of ibuprofen, if that, and a week later, the tissue is nearly fully healed.

I’ve expanded into treatments I never thought I would do in private practice: managing aphthous ulcers that now resolve in days instead of a week, removing fibromas and mucoceles (always sending to a lab to confirm the diagnosis), gently decontaminating lesions after extractions, and shaping gingiva to improve eruption or esthetics. Orthodontists in my area now refer their frenectomies and uncoveries to me because the laser allows quick recovery without delaying treatment.

All of this means fewer visits, less anesthesia, and less stress for everyone. Parents comment that their children aren’t anxious about appointments anymore, and many kids don’t want to “graduate” to a general dentist because they don’t want to leave this experience behind. For me, the change has been energizing. I’m accomplishing more in fewer visits, my schedule runs more smoothly, and I genuinely enjoy my days again.

Solea has elevated my practice in every way. It’s reliable, efficient, and delivers on everything it promises — something I could never say about my erbium. For any pediatric or general dentist looking to take their practice to the next level, this technology can be truly game-changing.

This information was provided by Convergent.