Abstract: A dental instrument includes a pneumatic pressure intensifier that supplies a handpiece having an orifice to generate a high velocity liquid jet. A pneumatic system includes valves to supply the pressure intensifier and control the output to the handpiece. A jet forming assembly includes an orifice mount in the handpiece, and a guide tube assembly secured to the orifice mount. The guide tube assembly is variably positioned to select the minimum distance from the jet orifice to the tissue target, so that the jet force may be controlled.

Abstract: A dental instrument includes a pneumatic pressure intensifier that supplies a handpiece having an orifice to generate a high velocity liquid jet. A pneumatic system includes valves to supply the pressure intensifier and control the output to the handpiece. A jet forming assembly includes an orifice mount in the handpiece, and a guide tube assembly secured to the orifice mount. The guide tube assembly is variably positioned to select the minimum distance from the jet orifice to the tissue target, so that the jet force may be controlled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dental procedures using a dental hydrojet tool having a cannula extending therefrom. The cannula is connected to a source of high pressure liquid, and delivers a high velocity, high pressure jet. For root canal procedures, the cannula is directed through an opening formed in the crown of the tooth, and the hydrojet is directed at the pulp, nerve and vascular tissue within the interior chamber. The jet may comprise medical-grade saline, disinfectant, antibiotic or abrasive solutions. All the soft tissue within the tooth is cut, excised, emulsified, and aspirated out of the tooth. The time required to excise, emulsify, and aspirate all the soft tissue within a typical molar is on the order of 10-240 seconds. The interior chamber of the tooth is completely aspirated and verified visually for completion of removal of all soft tissue, and then packed with an appropriate filler material, and the opening in the top of the tooth is filled or provided with a prosthetic crown.