Introducing New Dental Laser System
July 11th, 2008
Biolase Technology, a provider of dental laser systems, has launched its new Waterlase C100 hard and soft tissue laser. The device is priced to appeal to a broader section of the dental market.
Based on market research, Jake St. Philip, Biolase CEO, believes a broader product offering to complements the company’s flagship Waterlase MD will increase adoption rates across segments of the dental market – specifically dentists who are just beginning to build their practices.
Designed for the restorative general dentist, Biolase’s Waterlase C100 is said to provide clinical procedures including cavity preparation, early stage periodontal therapy and soft tissue procedures with more patient comfort compared to conventional instrumentation. First customer deliveries are expected to begin before the end of third quarter 2008.
The Waterlase C100 is scheduled to be launched at the national sales meeting of the company’s exclusive North American distribution partner Henry Schein Dental, part of Melville, NY-based Henry Schein, Inc. It is also slated to be launched in Europe, as well as in other markets including Korea, Japan, Germany, Spain, Australia and New Zealand.
According to the company, the Waterlase C100 all-tissue laser combines Waterlase yttrium scandium gallium garnet (YSGG) technology with excellent reliability, clinician control, operating efficiency, and flexibility in tip and accessory selection.
Because of its high cost ($85,000 - $100,000), the feature-rich Waterlase MD is better suited to dentists with well-established practices. Previously, Biolase had tried to drum up sales of Waterlase MD by offering promotions in conjunction with distributor Sullivan-Schein. That offer, from 2007, consisted of a $5,000 discount plus a 50-inch plasma TV and a $5,000 Sullivan-Schein merchandise gift certificate.
St. Philip said, “Our goal is to provide every dentist a laser product that addresses the needs of his or her dental practice over time. The Waterlase MD is ideal for anyone with a well-established and successful practice. And now, with the introduction of the Waterlase C100, all-tissue laser dentistry is affordable to an entire new generation of dentists and a wide range of practices that desire to provide their patients with the benefits of both hard and soft tissue laser procedures but have not been in a position to purchase our more feature-rich, high-end Waterlase MD.”
By materials of dentaleconomics.com, tradingmarkets.com and onemedplace.com.
Categories: Dental News
All the current distribution channels have to be upset with Biolase and this new product. After the apparent channel stuffing to fill them up with a more expensive product (which only provided the struggling company with breakeven numbers), they release a lower cost product that will only compete with their bread and butter product.
The new C100 looks like the old Waterlase which was pulled from the market about 5 years ago. Who wants old technology?
Doug, but what can you suggest instead of this new old dental laser?
I dont know how this company thought a lower priced laser would save their struggles. The MD still sounds like a better product than the c100, but there are plenty of other options in the market. Lares and Hoya to name a couple. My comment was more related to the future of Biolase and my concerns about buying from a company which looks like its about to fold.
i would like to know more details about c100 and the dealers in india
I am not a dentist. I would like to know how effective laser is in treating perio problems vs. surgery.