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From myth-busting photobiomodulation therapy to showcasing advanced aesthetic cases, this issue delivers practical insights for modern dental practice. Explore evidence-based techniques in implant and veneer rehabilitation, essential guidance on monkeypox protocols, and strategies for enhanced patient communication.

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Light The Way: Accelerating Orthodontics and Profits

Discover how PBM Healing uses photobiomodulation to illuminate the practice of orthodontics and redefine how dentists profit from it.

By Danny Chan

Few innovations have the potential to transform practices quite the way photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy does. PBM therapy represents a revolutionary approach to harnessing the power of low-level light to modulate biological processes at the cellular level. This burgeoning field has garnered significant attention from researchers and clinicians alike, as its potential applications span a wide range of dental procedures and treatments.

Often referred to as low-level light therapy (LLLT) or low-intensity laser therapy, PBM involves the application of specific wavelengths of light to target tissues, eliciting a cascade of physiological responses that can promote healing, reduce inflammation, and alleviate pain. The non-invasive nature of this approach, coupled with its remarkable safety profile, has positioned it as a compelling alternative or adjunct to conventional treatment modalities.

At the cutting edge of this emerging technology is PBM Healing, a company bringing together pioneering research and advanced clinical techniques to change how light energy is harnessed for therapeutic treatment in the dental realm.

Accelerating Tooth Movement

Dr. Alan Kwong Hing, Founder of PBM Healing

Founded by Dr. Alan Kwong Hing, a serial entrepreneur and distinguished dentist, PBM Healing has developed a powerful suite of devices that leverage PBM’s ability to stimulate cellular regeneration using specific wavelengths of light. “Photobiomodulation takes light energy and converts it into chemical energy in the cell,” explains Dr. Kwong Hing. “This activates processes that increase ATP production, blood flow, and tissue remodeling.”

While the science behind PBM is complex, the applications may be narrowly deployed to target specific medical and dental specialties. One area where PBM Healing’s innovations are poised to make the biggest impact is orthodontics. “Photobiomodulation can be used alongside any orthodontic treatment to reduce overall treatment time by up to 65% with both braces and aligners,” states Dr. Kwong Hing.

At the heart of the company’s tooth alignment innovations is PBM Ortho, PBM Healing’s flagship device for light-accelerated orthodontics. By bathing the periodontal tissues in therapeutic red and near-infrared light, PBM Ortho enhances the biological processes that facilitate tooth repositioning.

Light accelerated Aligner case completing treatment in 1/3 the time with 3 to 4 day aligner changes with whitening

 “The rapid turnover of bone allows for faster tooth movement, while also promoting soft tissue health,” notes Dr. Kwong Hing.

The results are transformative for both patients and practices. Traditional orthodontic cases averaging 18-24 months can be completed in as little as 7 months using PBM Ortho. Embracing this accelerated approach unlocks a wealth of benefits, from greater patient satisfaction to increased practice profitability.

“The implications of incorporating PBM devices into a practice are staggering on many fronts,” states Dr. Kwong Hing. “A patient will pay a premium of at least 20% for their accelerated treatment with no increase in overhead for the practice.” 

Pictured left and right: Light accelerated Fixed case – where tooth moved 50% faster into place with no pain

Chair Hours Halved? Enhancing Productivity and Profitability

With treatments completed in half the time, dentists can reallocate vacant chair hours to see more patients, driving up production without extending workdays.

Samuel Faveur, CEO of PBM Healing, emphasizes the financial advantages, “In some scenarios, we’ve shown how a doctor can double their net income without working any additional hours by implementing our PBM devices.”

Samuel Faveur, CEO of PBM Healing

Beyond PBM Ortho, PBM Healing offers a comprehensive ecosystem of devices spanning general dentistry and therapeutic applications. The PBM Vibe uses vibrational energy to further accelerate tooth movement and seat aligners more effectively. The PBM Implant device promotes rapid implant stability and bone grafting. Even post-treatment tooth whitening is elevated with the PBM White system.

As adoption of their innovative devices grows globally, Dr. Kwong Hing and his team are committed to providing robust training and support. “We’re building a culture where we’ll do everything possible to ensure dentists can successfully incorporate PBM into their practices,” he states. With a potential return on investment that could transform a practice’s productivity and profits, PBM Healing is emerging as a powerful driver of a brilliant new era in dentistry.

Healing Beyond the Dental Chair

Indeed, PBM Healing’s therapeutic solutions extend beyond just orthodontics and dentistry. Their comprehensive product line addresses a wide range of medical applications leveraging photobiomodulation’s healing and regenerative properties.

Pictured left and right: Light assisted Implant placement with simultaneous indirect sinus lift with bone graft and no pain or swelling post surgery and 50% less healing time

The PBM Neuro device, for instance, utilizes near-infrared light to penetrate the scalp and skull, providing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that show promise in supporting neurological health. “Near-infrared light can increase neuron regeneration and synaptic repair,” explains Dr. Kwong Hing. “It has the potential to enhance brain function and cognition.”

Another pioneering product is the PBM Oral Mucositis device, developed to alleviate the severe pain and discomfort caused by oral mucositis in cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. “Unfortunately, mucositis can be so severe that patients opt to stop their cancer treatment, which could be life-threatening,” Dr. Kwong Hing explains. “Our goal is to provide a simple, economical device for managing this devastating condition.”

Whitening case – after and before with no sensitivity

From managing acute and chronic pain to promoting healing after injuries or surgery, PBM Healing’s technologies offer a non-invasive, drug-free approach to overall wellness. Even conditions like endometriosis and menstrual cramps can potentially be alleviated through the company’s innovative PBM devices targeting localized discomfort.

“We’re exploring the full breadth of photobiomodulation’s capabilities,” remarks Samuel Faveur, PBM Healing’s CEO. “Our passion is developing solutions that can improve quality of life while reducing healthcare costs and dependence on pharmaceuticals.”

As a testament to their commitment, PBM Healing collaborates closely with leading research institutions and key opinion leaders in the field of photobiomodulation. “We work hand-in-hand with pioneers like Dr. Michael Hamblin from Harvard Medical School, who has authored over 1,100 publications on photomedicine,” says Dr. Kwong Hing. “This ensures our devices consistently incorporate the latest scientific advancements.”

Maximizing Financial Potential

While the clinical benefits of PBM Healing’s devices are remarkable, the financial advantages for dental and medical practices may prove to be equally compelling. By accelerating treatment times and enhancing therapeutic outcomes, these innovative technologies open the door to increased efficiency, higher revenue streams, and improved profitability.

“We’ve demonstrated how integrating our PBM devices can add millions in net income for a practice over just a few years,” asserts Samuel Faveur. “And that’s without increasing operating expenses or staffing needs.”

The key lies in the accelerated treatment protocols enabled by PBM. In orthodontics, for example, a case that traditionally takes 2 years can potentially be completed in just 5 months using PBM Ortho and PBM Vibe in combination. “By changing aligners every 3 days instead of weekly, you can achieve the same tooth movement in a fraction of the time,” explains Dr. Kwong Hing.

For patients, this translates into greater convenience, less discomfort, and a significantly reduced overall treatment burden. The benefits for practices are no less obvious. 

“Doctors can charge a premium of at least 20% for these accelerated orthodontic cases,” states Dr. Kwong Hing. “And by completing treatments faster, they free up chair time to see more patients without working longer hours.”

This increased throughput, coupled with the potential for premium treatment fees, creates a potent formula for elevated productivity and profits. PBM Healing provides comprehensive guidance to help practices maximize this opportunity.

“We advise dentists on positioning the value of accelerated treatment to patients, ensuring they see the benefits of reduced treatment time and less discomfort,” says Samuel Faveur. “It’s about empowering patients to make informed decisions about their care.”

The Future Shines Bright

As with any emerging field, the path forward for PBM in dentistry is paved with challenges and opportunities. PBM Healing remains stoically committed to pursing new innovation and research, sustained by the untapped opportunities that PBM offers. From its inception, the company has defied conventions – and criticisms.

“When we first introduced our PBM Ortho device for accelerating orthodontic treatment, we faced significant skepticism from the dental community,” recalls Dr. Kwong Hing. “Challenging long-held beliefs is never easy, but we remained committed to our vision.”

That conviction was rooted in a growing body of research validating photobiomodulation’s ability to stimulate cellular regeneration and accelerate biological processes like bone remodeling. By harnessing specific wavelengths of light, PBM Ortho could effectively turbocharge tooth movement while mitigating patient discomfort.

Beyond the scientific benefits, Dr. Kwong is also convinced that PBM Healing’s solutions can enhance a practice’s reputation and competitive edge. “Very few offices will initially adopt these accelerated protocols,” the entrepreneurial dentist notes. “That creates a powerful marketing advantage by offering services that directly address patients’ desires for faster, more comfortable treatment.”

As the global adoption of photobiomodulation continues to gain momentum, PBM Healing is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of therapeutic care.

“We’re focused on developing devices that can truly change lives while driving unprecedented growth opportunities for practices,” concludes Samuel Faveur. “The age of healing with light is dawning, and PBM Healing is leading the charge.”

References

  • Fulsundar, Prathamesh & Joshi, Divij & Darak, Rachna. (2018). PHOTOBIOMODULATION-ACCELERATING ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT. Indian Journal of Applied Research. 8. 40-41.
  • Karu, t. :Mitochondrial mechanism of photobiomodulation in context of new date about multiple roles of ATP, Photomed. Laser Surg. 28:159-160,20104. 
  • Karu, T.I.; Pyatibrat, L.V.; Kolyakov, S.F.; and Afanasyeva, N.I.: Absorptionmeasurements of a cell monolayer relevant to phototherapy: Reduction of cytochrome coxidase under near IR radiation, J. Photochem. Photobiol. B. 81:98-106, 2005.
  • Karu, T.I.; Pyatibrat, L.V.; and Afanasyeva, N.I.: Cellular effects of low power lasertherapy can be mediated by nitric oxide, Lasers Surg. Med. 36:307-314, 2005.
  • Chen, A.C.; Arany, P.R.; Huang Y.Y.; Tomkinson, E.M.; Sharma, S.K.; Kharwal, G.B.;Saleem T.; Mooney, D.; Yull, F.E.; Blackwell, T.S.; and Hamblin, M.R.: Low-level lasertherapy activates NF-Kb via generation of reactive oxygen species in mouse embryonicfibroblasts, PloS One 6:e22453, 2011.
  • Kau, C.H.; Kantarci, A.; Shaughnessy, T.; Vachiramon, A.; Santiwong, P.; de la Fuente,A.; Skrenes, D.; Ma, D.; and Brawn, P.: Photobiomodulation accelerates orthodonticalignment in the early phase of treatment, Prog. Orthod. 14:30, 20138. 
  • S Shenava, KUS Nayak, V Bhaskar – Accelerated orthodontics-a review. International Journal of Scientific Study, February 2014, Vol 1, Issue 5
  • Ojima K, Dan C, Kumagai Y, Schupp W. Invisalign treatment accelerated by photobiomodulation. Journal of Clinical Orthodontics 2016; 50(5): 309-317.
  • Dickerson T. Invisalign with photobiomodulation: optimizing tooth movement and treatment efficacy with a novel self-assessment algorithm. Journal of Clinical Orthodontics 2017; LI(3): 157-165.
  • Al Okla, Nour et al. “Effect of photobiomodulation on maxillary decrowding and root resorption: A randomized clinical trial.” APOS Trends in Orthodontics 8 (2018): 86 – 91.
  • Goymen, M., Gulec, A. Effect of photobiomodulation therapies on the root resorption associated with orthodontic forces: a pilot study using micro computed tomography. Clin Oral Invest 24, 1431–1438 (2020).
  • Uribe, Flavio & Padala, Soumya & Allareddy, Veerasathpurush & Nanda, Ravindra. (2014). Patients’, parents’, and orthodontists’ perceptions of the need for and costs of additional procedures to reduce treatment time. American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. 145. S65–S73

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