Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in ablating hard and soft tissue and in particular, tooth, tooth enamel, tooth dentin, tooth cementum, bone, cartilage, skin, mucosa, gingiva and muscle, and preferably in the oral cavity, is disclosed. In operation, an electromagnetic energy source is applied to a target material producing thermo-elastic failure resulting in fracture or rupture of the material. When this point is reached, the energy source is stopped and immediately a fracturing fluid is applied to the lasing site with sufficient cooling power, solvating power, and momentum to not only cause further fracture or rupture of the material but also to remove debris from the site. The process is repeated until the desired ablation is effected.

Abstract: A hand held laser device is disclosed including a handpiece coupled to a source of laser energy by an optical fiber cable. A bias tensile stress is exerted on the fiber when the fiber and outer sheathing or tube are straight in-line. The bias tensile stress reduces compressional stress on the fiber when the fiber cable is bent. Moreover, the fiber is coupled to a disposable fiber in the handpiece to output light from the laser to a target area. The two fibers are precisely spaced close to one another to permit substantial lossless transmission of light without lenses or other focusing optics. Further, precision bearing devices are provided at opposite ends of the fiber cable in order to reduce torque on the fiber.