Abstract: A dental laser system for treatment of hard and/or soft tissue includes a main chamber housing optical and primary fluid supply subsystems, for directing a laser beam and fluid to a treatment area. A hand piece affixable to the main chamber, includes mating optical and secondary fluid supply subsystems. The hand piece can be rotatable or re-orientable about an optical axis within the hand piece. A lock can maintain a selectable angular orientation of the hand piece relative to the main chamber. A coupling can maintain a fluidic communication between the primary and secondary fluid supply subsystems even when the hand piece is rotated or re-oriented. A sensor and controller can sense a selected angular orientation of the hand piece and adjust the main optical subsystem according to the sensed angular orientation, to align the two optical subsystems. The laser may be controlled using a variable speed foot pedal.

Abstract: A device for determining a contour of a dental treatment area during treatment thereof includes a laser beam guidance system and an imaging system. The laser beam guidance system can guide a laser beam and, optionally, a scanning light to a dental treatment area, and the imaging system, which can include an adjustable focus image sensor, can obtain an image of the dental treatment area based on light rays reflected therefrom. The device also includes a computation system to compute a contour, e.g., a 2D contour, of a surface of the dental treatment area based on the image obtained by the imaging system and, optionally, geometries of one or more components of the laser beam guidance system and/or optical components associated with the imaging system.

Abstract: A laser-based dental treatment system also provides for imaging of the treatment area during treatment thereof, without requiring the operator to switch between different devices. A laser beam delivery subsystem and an imaging system are coupled such that at least a portion of the path along which the light reflected from the treatment area propagates towards the imaging system is substantially the same as at least a portion of the path along which the laser beam propagates. Optionally, an illumination system that can direct light to a candidate treatment area for diagnosis thereof, and/or to provide adequate light to the treatment area for imaging, is also be integrated with the treatment system.

Abstract: A dental tissue treatment apparatus and associated methods includes a feedback-controlled beam guidance system for directing treatment to a defined area of dental tissue.

Abstract: A system for dental tissue treatment includes a system for directing a laser beam to an area of dental tissue to be treated, and a fluid-delivery system for directing and controlling a flow of a fluid. The fluid is directed to at least a portion of the area to be treated and the fluid flow is controlled to substantially prevent both a change in laser energy absorption by the dental tissue and attenuation of treatment efficiency due to fluid interference with the laser beam. The fluid present in at least a portion of the area to be treated may prevent or reduce the likelihood of melting of enamel in that area.

Abstract: A system for dental tissue treatment includes a system for directing a laser beam to an area of dental tissue to be treated, and a fluid-delivery system for directing and controlling a flow of a fluid. The fluid is directed to at least a portion of the area to be treated and the fluid flow is controlled to substantially prevent both a change in laser energy absorption by the dental tissue and attenuation of treatment efficiency due to fluid interference with the laser beam. The fluid present in at least a portion of the area to be treated may prevent or reduce the likelihood of melting of enamel in that area.

Abstract: A system for dental tissue treatment includes a system for directing a laser beam to an area of dental tissue to be treated, and a fluid-delivery system for directing and controlling a flow of a fluid. The fluid is directed to at least a portion of the area to be treated and the fluid flow is controlled to substantially prevent both a change in laser energy absorption by the dental tissue and attenuation of treatment efficiency due to fluid interference with the laser beam. The fluid present in at least a portion of the area to be treated may prevent or reduce the likelihood of melting of enamel in that area.

Abstract: A dental tissue treatment apparatus and associated methods includes a feedback-controlled beam guidance system for directing treatment to a defined area of dental tissue.

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: 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.