The purchase of capital equipment must be guided by sound financial decisions. The purchase of a high tech device, such as a dental laser, must also be guided by intelligent decision making. Very often dentists buy lasers without understanding the costs to the practice of such a purchase. While dentists may be able to determine which wavelength will work well in their practice, criteria such as operating costs vs. purchase price, type of delivery system, the importance of training and much more must be evaluated before the wrong purchase is made for the practice. Lasers can be game-changing devices for a practice, but only if the right laser for that practice is selected.