Abstract: The cutting of tooth or bone tissue with laser radiation is enhanced by giving the radiation a polarization P parallel to the surface of the tissue being cut. For enlarging a tooth canal, laser radiation is delivered via an optical fiber which is introduced into the canal and is tapered in the region of its distal end. To fill a canal, an optical fiber having a low melting point is introduced into the canal and radiation is conducted through the fiber to melt the fiber and form the filling. The fiber may be coated with a material which will be melted by the radiation and will bond to the canal wall.

Abstract: A medical or dental handpiece for the performance of laser radiation treatments, composed of: an elongate housing constructed to be held in the hand, the housing having a radiation delivery end and enclosing a chamber which is adjacent the radiation delivery end; a radiation conducting element disposed in the housing for conducting laser radiation from a laser source into the chamber and toward the radiation delivery end; and a gas flow path in the chamber for guiding a flow of cooling gas through the chamber in a direction from the radiation conducting element toward the radiation delivery end.

Abstract: Laser radiation having a selected wavelength and in the form of pulses having a selected pulse duration, repetition rate and energy content per pulse, is employed for performing a variety of dental and medical procedures, including cutting of enamel, dentin, cementum, dental root material, bone and metal. Cavities and openings in teeth and bones can be filled with a mixture containing hydroxyapatite and phosphoric acid, mixed together to form a paste, and the resulting mixture, after being introduced into the opening or cavity, can be cured and hardened by application of pulses of defocused laser radiation.

Abstract: The cutting of tooth or bone tissue with laser radiation is enhanced by giving the radiation a polarization P parallel to the surface of the tissue being cut. For enlarging a tooth canal, laser radiation is delivered via an optical fiber which is introduced into the canal and is tapered in the region of its distal end. To fill a canal, an optical fiber having a low melting point is introduced into the canal and radiation is conducted through the fiber to melt the fiber and form the filling. The fiber may be coated with a material which will be melted by the radiation and will bond to the canal wall.

Abstract: A process for cleaning and/or shaping passages, comprising providing an optical fiber having a diameter sufficiently small to be introduced into the passage and having a free end provided with a radiation focussing element; introducing the free end of the fiber into the passage so that the focal point defined by the radiation focussing element is located adjacent the region to be cleaned or shaped; providing a liquid in the passage at the location of the focal point of the radiation focussing element; and supplying pulses of laser radiation to the fiber so that the radiation exits the fiber via the free end to provoke a cavitation of vapor at the interior of the irrigating liquid.

Abstract: Laser radiation having a selected wavelength and in the form of pulses having a selected pulse duration, repetition rate and energy content per pulse, is employed for performing a variety of dental and medical procedures, including cutting of enamel, dentin, cementum, dental root material, bone and metal. Cavities and openings in teeth and bones can be filled with a mixture containing hydroxyapatite and phosphoric acid, mixed together to form a paste, and the resulting mixture, after being introduced into the opening or cavity, can be cured and hardened by application of pulses of defocused laser radiation.

Abstract: A thermoplastic optical fiber for use in treatments requiring filling of openings, recesses, passages, or crevices in mineralized physiologic tissue, the fiber having at least a portion composed of at least one ingredient which is capable of being placed in a flowable state when heated by application of selected laser radiation, is physiologically compatible with the mineralized physiologic tissue and bonds with the mineralized tissue.

Abstract: The cutting of tooth or bone tissue with laser radiation is enhanced by giving the radiation a polarization P parallel to the surface of the tissue being cut. For enlarging a tooth canal, laser radiation is delivered via an optical fiber which is introduced into the canal and is tapered in the region of its distal end. To fill a canal, an optical fiber having a low melting point is introduced into the canal and radiation is conducted through the fiber to melt the fiber and form the filling. The fiber may be coated with a material which will be melted by the radiation and will bond to the canal wall.

Abstract: The cutting of tooth or bone tissue with laser radiation is enhanced by giving the radiation a polarization P parallel to the surface of the tissue being cut. For enlarging a tooth canal, laser radiation is delivered via an optical fiber which is introduced into the canal and is tapered in the region of its distal end. To fill a canal, an optical fiber having a low melting point is introduced into the canal and radiation is conducted through the fiber to melt the fiber and form the filling. The fiber may be coated with a material which will be melted by the radiation and will bond to the canal wall.

Abstract: The cutting of tooth or bone tissue with laser radiation is enhanced by giving the radiation a polarization P parallel to the surface of the tissue being cut. For enlarging a tooth canal, laser radiation is delivered via an optical fiber which is introduced into the canal and is tapered in the region of its distal end. To fill a canal, an optical fiber having a low melting point is introduced into the canal and radiation is conducted through the fiber to melt the fiber and form the filling. The fiber may be coated with a material which will be melted by the radiation and will bond to the canal wall.

Abstract: A process for cleaning and/or shaping passages, comprising providing an optical fiber having a diameter sufficiently small to be introduced into the passage and having a free end provided with a radiation focussing element; introducing the free end of the fiber into the passage so that the focal point defined by the radiation focussing element is located adjacent the region to be cleaned or shaped; providing a liquid in the passage at the location of the focal point of the radiation focussing element; and supplying pulses of laser radiation to the fiber so that the radiation exits the fiber via the free end to provoke a cavitation of vapor at the interior of the irrigating liquid.

Abstract: To fill a canal, an optical fiber having a low melting point is introduced into the canal and radiation is conducted through the fiber to melt the fiber and form the filling. The fiber may be coated with a material which will be melted by the radiation and will bond to the canal wall. Fillings and coatings are formed on tooth or bone tissue by projecting toward a surface of the tissue two starting components which when combined and exposed to light of a selected wavelength undergo a photochemical reaction to form a calcium containing product, and causing light of the selected wavelength to impinge on the components at least partially before they reach the surface in order to create the reaction and cause the resulting calcium containing product to bond to the tissue.