6 MIN READ
One Dentist’s Path to Higher Production & Happier Patients
By Convergent Dental on June 20, 2025
When Dr. Kurtis Schuyler, a general dentist in Washington, MO, took over a retiring dentist’s practice, he was determined to offer cutting-edge care while ensuring patient comfort. Dr. Schuyler invested in several technologies early on, but the Solea All-Tissue Laser has been a standout. In less than a year of practicing with the laser, Dr. Schuyler has seen a dramatic increase in production, a more energized team, less stressful workdays, and very happy patients.
Discovering Solea
Dr. Schuyler’s Solea journey began when his trusted Patterson Dental Representative, Matt Crumpley, encouraged him to learn more about the laser based on the impact that it could have on his digital practice. Matt has been an essential advisor by staying informed on dental product updates, launches, and trends, so Dr. Schuyler knew that if Matt thought he should look into Solea, he should.
Dr. Schuyler did not know much about the laser but had come across several Solea discussions on social media. He was particularly impressed by Dr. David Yang's cases shared on the Real World Dentistry Facebook page. Intrigued, he set up an in-person Discovery Discussion with Chad Gibson, the local Convergent Dental Representative. Chad and Dr. Schuyler sat down to discuss Dr. Schuyler’s goals for his practice, and concluded the meeting by agreeing to meet again at an upcoming laser dentistry educational event.
The event included a didactic presentation, hands-on session, and a live patient case observation. Dr. Zach Wesley of Wesley Dentistry in Brentwood, TN demonstrated back-to-back mesial-occlusal and distal-occlusal restorations on teeth #4 and #5 without anesthesia. After that, Matt agreed to get in the chair to be the patient for Dr. Wesley to perform a Solea Sleep treatment! The procedure lasted about 10 minutes, and upon sitting up, Matt could immediately feel a change as he took a deep breath in. Witnessing these real-time outcomes solidified Dr. Schuyler’s belief in Solea’s capabilities.
The Decision to Invest
Returning home, Dr. Schuyler carefully evaluated the potential benefits of Solea with his wife and his practice financial advisor. Together, they conducted a strategic review of how the laser could enhance efficiency, clinical predictability, patient experience, and treatment acceptance rates, while also identifying new opportunities to expand the scope of services offered by examining procedure codes. Additionally, Dr. Schuyler saw Solea as a key differentiator for his practice, helping him stand out in the community by offering innovative, patient-centered care.
Confident in Solea’s value, both his wife and financial advisor supported the investment.
Preparing for Success
Dr. Schuyler had recently implemented CEREC and had been considering the addition of 3D printing as his next investment in the practice. But after the laser dentistry event and his conversations with Matt, he decided to invest in both Solea and 3D printing at the same time.
Concerned about overwhelming his staff with too many changes at once, he decided to wait a few weeks to integrate Solea into his clinical practice. During that time, he arrived an hour early each day to hone his skills with the laser by practicing on extracted teeth in his office. This not only boosted his confidence but also put his staff at ease as they discussed the laser's potential prior to implementation.
Transforming Patient Care
Dr. Schuyler completed Solea Core Training in mid-May. Once Solea became part of his practice, the results were transformative. Dr. Schuyler’s team embraced the technology, and patients were equally enthusiastic. He had immediate success with anesthesia-free dentistry, but he still considered the first six weeks of usage to be his “ramp-up period” where he developed his speed and perfected all classes of fillings. After ramping up, he tracked his numbers for July through the end of the year and found that he performed 96% of his fillings without anesthesia! His patients were equally thrilled that they did not require a shot, did not leave numb, and also appreciated the lack of vibration or "chatter" compared to traditional drills.
Solea also proved invaluable for treating patients with dental anxiety. One memorable case involved an army veteran with severe dental phobia who typically required anxiety medication and thus a driver for appointments. On one occasion, the patient could not take his medication due to obligations he had later in the day. Dr. Schuyler encouraged him to keep the appointment and assured him that Solea would enable painless procedures without the need for local anesthetic. The patient left the office pain-free and amazed after two Class V fillings and a topical-only gingivectomy. Knowing that he did not have to face a needle, and the procedure would still be pain-free, the patient returned unmedicated a few days later to address additional dental needs.
Growth Through Solea
Dr. Schuyler has been astounded by the increase in production. Now over ten months with Solea, Dr. Schuyler reports continued growth and success across multiple facets of his practice, seeing a $160,000 increase in overall production compared to the same 10-month period the previous year. His restorative production alone rose by $130,000, and thanks to Solea, he generated $5,000 in new soft tissue procedures and $2,500 from Solea Sleep treatments—neither of which were part of his offerings prior to adopting the laser.
Solea allows Dr. Schuyler to complete more procedures in a single visit, streamlining scheduling and optimizing practice management while significantly improving patient convenience and satisfaction. Word-of-mouth referrals have skyrocketed, with patients eagerly sharing their positive experiences in online reviews and with family and friends.
During morning team meetings, staff actively discuss strategies for soliciting referrals and reviews, further amplifying their success. His team is more confident than ever in presenting Solea procedures, and the boost in production has allowed for continued reinvestment in technology and training.
Looking Ahead
Dr. Schuyler is thrilled with the impact Solea has had on his practice and his ability to serve the community. Reflecting on his journey, he says he cannot imagine practicing without it. By combining advanced technology with a patient-first approach, Dr. Schuyler has set a new standard for dental care in his region.