Consultants’ Comments

• “Pre-sets are wonderful!”
• “The wireless foot pedal is convenient in the operatory and makes storage less cumbersome.”
• “The pre-cleaved, single-use tips are perfect.”
• “A longer cord between the unit and the wand would be nice.”
• “Easy set up and convenient.”
• “Fantastic product.”

Description

The Odyssey Navigator Diode Laser is a portable, solid-state diode laser recommended for soft tissue modification and preventive care. The unit utilizes an 810-nm wavelength and provides up to three watts of power. It is designed to deliver laser energy in either continuous or pulse mode. The docking cradle secures the unit on a counter-top and provides a charging base for a rechargeable lithium polymer battery which offers up to 45 minutes of portable lasing. The handpiece is detachable and should be autoclaved after each use. Individually packaged, pre-stripped, pre-cleaved fiber tips snap on to the handpiece. Users of the Odyssey Navigator can create their own programs or select from over 30 pre-set clinical procedures from the touch screen monitor. The manufacturer recommends using the lowest power setting that will effectively modify the tissue. The Odyssey Navigator was evaluated by seven consultants and received a 97% clinical rating.

Equipment Features

Consultants used the Odyssey Navigator in a variety of procedures including gingival troughing, hemostasis, gingival recontouring, frenectomy, excision, and distal wedge procedure. Every consultant found the pre-set programs very helpful. The 30 clinical procedures installed into the system, as well as the ability to create other programs, thoroughly covers all needs of the clinician. While the low-wattage setting is best to start with to avoid tissue damage, most clinicians increased the preset wattage to remove tissue more effectively. Odyssey Navigator features both continuous and pulse modes. The continuous mode is more aggressive, while pulse mode, with 0.05-second intervals, allows some tissue cooling between pulses. At 2.5 pounds and 7”x4”x3” (17.8×10.2×7.6 cm), the Odyssey Navigator is lightweight and portable. Its ease of use, convenience and the ease in which settings can be selected were the highest rated features. The touch screen and inverted screen capability are excellent. The Odyssey Navigator features unit-dose fiber tips which are easily changed. The wireless foot pedal is an exceptional addition to this system. When used for

gingival contouring in conjunction with indirect restorative procedures, the quality of the final impression or digital scan was rated as above average. The tissue heals extremely well five to seven days post-operatively. Patients reported little to no discomfort 12-24 hours post-operatively. One hundred percent of evaluating consultants rated the Odyssey Navigator Diode Laser better than their current laser, and 100% would recommend it to colleagues.

Clinical Tips

• Increase the wattage slightly from the preset values to 1.3 or 1.4 watts for more efficient tissue removal.

• Gently scrub the tissue with hydrogen peroxide on a microbrush after using the laser to remove any tissue debris and clean the surface.

• Appropriate safety eyewear must be worn by everyone present in the operatory.

Editors’ Note:

A 6ft cord is available as an option.