Abstract: Some aspects relate to systems and methods for estimating a trend associated with dental tissue. An exemplary system may include a sensor configured to periodically detect a plurality of oral images representing a plurality of exposed tooth surfaces and a computing device configured to receive the plurality of oral images from the sensor, aggregate a first aggregated oral image as a function of a first plurality of oral images detected at a first time, aggregate a second aggregated oral image as a function of a second plurality of oral images detected at a second time, and estimate a trend as a function of the first aggregated oral image and the second aggregated oral image.

Abstract: Aspects relate to systems and methods for generating an image representative of oral tissue concurrently with dental preventative laser treatment. An exemplary system may include a laser configured to generate a laser beam as a function of a laser parameter, a beam delivery system configured to deliver the laser beam from the laser, a hand piece configured to accept the laser beam from the beam delivery system and direct the laser beam to dental tissue, wherein the laser beam performs a non-ablative treatment of the dental tissue, as a function of the laser parameter, a sensor configured to detect a plurality of oral images as a function of oral phenomena concurrently with delivery of the laser beam to the dental tissue, and a computing device configured to receive the plurality of oral images from the sensor and aggregate an aggregated oral image as a function of the plurality of oral images.

Abstract: Some aspects relate systems and methods for dental treatment and remote oversight. An exemplary system may include a laser configured to generate a laser beam as a function of a laser parameter, a beam delivery system configured to deliver the laser beam from the laser, a hand piece configured to accept the laser beam from the beam delivery system and direct the laser beam to dental tissue, a sensor configured to detect a dental parameter as a function of a dental phenomenon, a computing device configured to receive the dental parameter from the sensor and communicate the dental parameter to a remote device configured to interface with a remote user.

Abstract: Some aspects relate to systems and methods for dental treatment and verification. An exemplary system may include a laser configured to generate a laser beam as a function of a laser parameter, a beam delivery system configured to deliver the laser beam from the laser, a hand piece configured to accept the laser beam from the beam delivery system and direct the laser beam to dental tissue, a sensor configured to detect a treatment parameter as a function of a treatment phenomenon; and a computing device configured to receive the treatment parameter from the sensor; and determine aggregated treated surfaces as a function of the treatment parameter.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a systems and methods for preventative irradiative dental treatment. In accordance with one embodiment, a system and method include using a radiation source to generate a radiation; using an optic disposed to accept the radiation to internally reflect he radiation at a first end; using at least one side of the optic to contact a dental hard tissue; using the optic to couple some of the radiation into the dental hard tissue; and, using a controller to control a parameter of the radiation to heat a surface of the dental hard tissue.

Abstract: Aspects relate to systems and methods for synergistic laser cleaning and whitening of teeth. In one aspect a system includes a laser system configured to perform a laser treatment on exposed tooth surfaces on a plurality of a patient's teeth, where the laser system includes a laser arrangement configured to generate a laser beam, an optical arrangement configured to direct the laser beam toward the exposed tooth surfaces, and a laser controller configured to control the laser beam to remove a pellicle from the exposed tooth surfaces, and a tray configured to apply a whitening agent to the exposed tooth surfaces after the laser treatment.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide slab laser includes a top electrode and a bottom electrode. The top electrode has a socket formed at a geometric center and receives a contact ring in the recess of the socket. The contact ring includes radially inward extending biasing fingers. The biasing fingers contact a radio frequency (RF) energy feed through plug and engages the outer wall of the plug and retains it in the socket. The fingers disperse RF energy radially outward to the laser and provide for more even energy distribution that allows for more power. Grounding is also improved through grounding bars spaced apart longitudinally along the length of the bottom electrode. The transverse extending bars include contact elements having spaced apart fingers along the length of the contact element and providing multiple ground points to prevent focusing at a single grounding point.

Abstract: An improved dental laser system includes a DC power section that rectifies its AC electrical input energy in a format suitable for both CW and pulsed operation, an RF power supply operating in a range of about 40 to 125 MHz and configured for both CW and high peak power pulsing operation, a sealed-off, RF excited CO2 waveguide or slab resonator laser filled to a gas at a pressure between about 260 to 600 Torr (or about 34,700-80,000 Pa), and a beam delivery system to steer the beam from the output of the laser to the mouth, such as the patient's mouth.

Abstract: An improved dental laser system includes a DC power section that rectifies its AC electrical input energy in a format suitable for both CW and pulsed operation, an RF power supply operating in a range of about 40 to 125 MHz and configured for both CW and high peak power pulsing operation, a sealed-off, RF excited CO2 waveguide or slab resonator laser filled to a gas at a pressure between about 260 to 600 Torr (or about 34,700-80,000 Pa), and a beam delivery system to steer the beam from the output of the laser to the mouth, such as the patient's mouth.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to waveguide lasers (e.g., RF-excited waveguide lasers). Certain example embodiments of this invention provide an optical mounting scheme for use with a waveguide laser. In certain example embodiments, a carrier including an optic holder may be provided. An optic may be mounted to the carrier via a face-sealing epoxy. An optic interface may be formed at least in part by the epoxy. The optic interface may be a thin layer of a substantially uniform thickness located between the carrier and optic face. The carrier and/or the optic holder of the carrier may be beveled proximate to where the optic interface is formed and, optionally, proximate to where the epoxy is applied. In certain example embodiments, the epoxy may be applied to only the optic's face and/or to the optic holder's face.

Abstract: A laser discharge, where the laser discharge can be formed by electrodes and at least one sidewall in a manner allowing a more compact structure than previously provided. Protrusions in the electrodes allow easier laser starts, and sectional sidewall(s) allow easier fabrication of sidewall(s), decreasing manufacturing costs.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to waveguide lasers (e.g., RF-excited waveguide lasers). Certain example embodiments of this invention provide combined waveguide cover and non-coupled top electrodes, and/or heat load balancing vacuum vessels including multiple (e.g., two or more) chambers. In certain example embodiments, RF energy may couple through the combined waveguide cover and non-coupled top electrode without significantly traversing the insulating carrier material via one or more cutouts or gaps formed in the RF coupling region of the top (or even a bottom) electrode. In certain example embodiments, first and second chambers of the vacuum vessel may be arranged so that heat generated in the discharge region flows away from the first and second chambers, thereby reducing thermally induced distortion of the optical component during laser operation. These techniques may be used alone or in various combinations.

Abstract: A laser waveguide, where the laser waveguide can be formed by electrodes and at least one sidewall in a manner allowing a more compact structure than previously provided. Protrusions in the electrodes allow easier laser starts, and sectional sidewall(s) allow easier fabrication of sidewall(s), decreasing manufacturing costs.

Abstract: Provided is a device/method of alignment of a laser's beam with the laser's support system so that the beam is substantially parallel in a chosen direction with respect to a reference line on the laser's support system.

Abstract: A laser waveguide, where the laser waveguide can be formed by electrodes and at least one sidewall in a manner allowing a more compact structure than previously provided. Protrusions in the electrodes allow easier laser starts, and sectional sidewall(s) allow easier fabrication of sidewall(s), decreasing manufacturing costs.

Abstract: A folded sheet is used as a basis for a fin array to cool laser modules. The folded sheet has flat portions that are connected in thermal contact with the laser module, and fins formed by interconnecting portions. This arrangement is highly convenient for assembly, inexpensive, and provides for highly effective heat exchange.

Abstract: A laser chamber is provided that increases power, initiation, and discharge efficiency over single chamber lasers by providing a multi-fold laser chamber, protrusions, discharge segmentation and inversion techniques.