Laser augmented periodontal scaling instruments

Abstract

An instrument is provided to enables a dental professional to subject a surgical site simultaneously to (1) mechanical cutting, scraping and grinding, and (2) laser trimming and cauterization. As a result, simultaneous removal of diseased tissue and destruction of residual bacteria is enabled. The instrument comprises a hollow shank having, a rearward fitting, and a forward contact head. Within shank extends a fiber optic bundle. As shown, laser energy is delivered from a laser through the fitting and the laser bundle to the contact head. In the contact head are a surgical blade and an exit window for the laser energy.

1 . A dental instrument comprising: 
 (a) a hollow shank having, a rearward fitting, and a forward head including a contact region and a window in proximity thereto;    (b) said contact region being adapted for cutting, scraping, and/or grinding dental tissue;    (c) a source of laser energy in the low infrared spectrum approximately from 600 nm to 1100 nm, wherein the source is configured and arranged to produce laser energy for photodamage or photothermal effect to destroy residual bacteria;    (d) said window being transmissive with respect to said laser energy; and    (e) a fiber optic bundle extending from said source of laser energy, through said fitting and said shank for communication with said window; wherein said dental instrument is configured and arranged to enable a dental professional to subject a surgical site simultaneously to (1) cutting, scraping and/or grinding, and to (2) said laser energy for photodamage or photothermal effect to destroy residual bacteria.    
   
   
       2 . The dental instrument of  claim 1 , wherein said contact region is a sickle scaler for removing supragingival plaque and calculus, said sickle scaler having a flat surface with two cutting edges that converge at a cutting tip.  
   
   
       3 . The dental instrument of  claim 1 , wherein said contact region is a curette for subgingival scaling, root planing, and soft tissue debridement, said curette having cutting edges that are set at approximately a 90 degree angle with respect to the axis of the shank.  
   
   
       4 . The dental instrument of  claim 1 , wherein said contact region is a hoe scaler to aid in calculus and diseased cementum removal.  
   
   
       5 . The dental instrument of  claim 1 , wherein said contact region is a chisel scaler to aid in calculus and diseased cementum removal.  
   
   
       6 . The dental instrument of  claim 1 , wherein said contact region is a file scaler to aid in calculus and diseased cementum removal.  
   
   
       7 . The dental instrument of  claim 1  wherein said laser energy is produced by a solid state diode laser in the low infrared spectrum of 600 nm to 1100 nm.  
   
   
       8 . The dental instrument of  claim 1 , wherein said laser energy is produced by at least one solid state diode laser in the approximate vicinities of 870 nm and 930 nm.  
   
   
       9 . A dental process for applying a dental instrument to a surgical site, the dental instrument including 
 (a) a hollow shank having, a rearward fitting, and a forward head including a contact region and a window in proximity thereto;    (b) said contact region being adapted for cutting, scraping, and/or grinding dental tissue;    (c) a source of laser energy, wherein the source is configured and arranged to produce laser energy for photodamage or photothermal effect to destroy residual bacteria;    (d) said window being transmissive with respect to said laser energy; and    (e) a fiber optic bundle extending from said source of laser energy, through said fitting and said shank for communication with said window;    said dental process comprising the surgical site simultaneously to    (1) mechanical cutting, scraping and/or grinding, and    (2) said laser energy for photodamage or photothermal effect, to remove diseased tissue and to destroy residual bacteria; said laser energy being produced by at least one solid state diode laser in the low infrared spectrum approximating 600 nm and 1100 nm.    
   
   
       10 . The process of  claim 9 , further comprising trimming and cauterizing to remove diseased tissue and to destroy residual bacteria.