Patent ID: 6083218
Filing Date: 2000-07-04
Classification: A61C

Abstract:
An apparatus for removing pre-selected dental caries from non-selected healthy dental tissue at a predetermined target site of a tooth comprising:a laser source for generating an ultraviolet laser beam having a wavelength in a range of 193 nm-400 nm;a fluid coolant delivery handpiece coupled to a water reservoir for delivering a fluid coolant for dissipating heat to said target site such that said fluid coolant has an arbitrary thickness between said laser beam and said preselected dental caries and said non-selected healthy dental tissue; andan optical device disposed in radiation receiving relation to said laser source for delivering said laser beam to said target site, said laser beam propagating through said fluid coolant and ablating said pre-selected dental caries, said fluid coolant coacting with said laser beam to maintain a temperature at said target site below a given threshold temperature as said pre-selected dental caries are removed by said laser beam.