Apparatus and method for controlled fluid cooling during laser based dental treatments

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for dental tissue treatment, the apparatus comprising:
 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 to at least a portion of the area to be treated to substantially prevent a change in laser energy absorption by the dental tissue and attenuation of treatment efficiency due to fluid interference with the laser beam.   
     
     
         2 .- 82 . (Canceled)