Dental lasing device system and method

Abstract

A diode laser system having high-power diode(s) said high-power diode(s) producing laser outputs in a range of 0.1 to 25 Watts of power using optimum wavelengths via a single optical delivery fiber.

1 . A diode lasing method for dental oral surgery comprising the steps of:
 providing only three laser diodes, a first of the three laser diodes is a blue laser with a wavelength 400 to 510 nanometers, a second of the three laser diodes is an infrared laser with a wavelength of 800-1200 nanometers, and a third of the three laser diodes is a red laser with a wavelength of 600-750 nanometers;   installing the laser diodes in a laser diode module;   installing the laser diode module, a power meter, an internal reference, and a digital controller in a laser console having a display and user input interface;   controlling the laser diodes via the digital controller, the first laser diode for operation at 10-20 Hz with a pulse width of 20-100 ms and a power of up to 5 watts, the second laser diode for operation 10-50 Hz with a pulse width of 20-100 ms and a power of up to 25 Watts, the third laser diode for operation continuously with a power of up to 1000 mW;   cooling the laser diode module with a Peltier cell thermoelectric cooler controlled by a temperature sensor, the Peltier cell between the laser diode module and a heat sink for dissipating the heat lost from the laser module;   combining up to three light beams from the three laser diodes in an optical stage including a transformation lens, a dispersion element, and an external cavity mirror wherein the three light beams impinge on the transformation lens where the light beams are focused to a single point on the dispersion element such that a single beam leaves the dispersion element, impinges on the external cavity mirror;   transporting a reflection of the single beam in a single optical fiber with a core diameter of about 360 μm and a numerical aperture of 0.22 to 0.34, proper optical interface(s) being checked with one or more SMA detectors;   the digital controller interoperating with the internal reference and power meter to automatically calibrate the internal reference such that a laser power setting selected at the user input interface matches a power meter indication obtained when light from a distal end of the single optical fiber impinges on the power meter; and,   performing laser surgery when a user aims the single beam from the distal end of the optical fiber at tissue using visible red light included in the single beam;   wherein a dose meter displays a sum of energy delivered in Joules, a dose meter sum of energy delivered beginning at zero and summing during all laser emission periods.   
     
     
         2 . The diode lasing method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of:
 displaying energy delivered at a handpiece during a selected time period during which energy is delivered intermittently in response operation of a foot switch. 
 
     
     
         3 . The diode lasing method of  claim 2  further comprising the step of:
 utilizing the power meter to determine if laser power delivered at the handpiece equals a displayed power setting. 
 
     
     
         4 . The diode lasing method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 activation of the first laser diode but not the second laser diode cures any of bonding materials, composite cements, composite restorations, endodontic composite cores, prosthetic reline and/or repair material, sealants, splint material, veneers, and crowns via tack curing.   
     
     
         5 . The diode lasing method of  claim 4  wherein:
 in vivo dental composite heating is achieved when the second laser diode is operated a 0.4 to 2.0 Watts for 5 to 30 seconds with a wavelength of 800 to 1200 nanometers; and, 
 photopolymerization of composites is achieved under control of the digital controller whereby the second laser diode is automatically deactivated and the first laser diode is automatically operated at 0.2 to 0.4 Watts for 1 to 10 seconds using a 10 to 30 Hz pulsed emission. 
 
     
     
         6 . The diode lasing method of  claim 5  wherein:
 one or more composites are cured through 1) a nonmetallic matrix band from an outside of a tooth cavity preparation into the tooth cavity preparation or 2) bands including polyester, celluloid and acetate from an outside of a tooth cavity preparation into a tooth cavity preparation. 
 
     
     
         7 . The diode lasing method of  claim 5  further comprising the step of:
 providing a ceramic restoration including a composite between a tooth and a ceramic restoration veneer wherein a composite is cured from one side of the ceramic restoration veneer through a tooth structure until the composite shrinks toward the tooth. 
 
     
     
         8 . The diode lasing method of  claim 5  wherein:
 one or both of a veneer restoration and a crown restoration during initial photopolymerization are tack-cured in one or two areas, the restoration(s) anchored in place and interproximally uncured composite removed prior to final photopolymerization. 
 
     
     
         9 . The diode lasing method of  claim 5 , wherein:
 a composite is alternatively cured through a structure of tooth enamel from an outside of a tooth cavity preparation into the tooth cavity preparation.   
     
     
         10 . The diode lasing method of  claim 9 , wherein:
 a handpiece is placed out of contact with a composite or in contact or near contact with a soft tissue; and,   the handpiece is used to cut soft tissue and cure composite simultaneously.   
     
     
         11 . The diode lasing method  claim 1  further comprising the step of:
 the digital controller providing timed warnings of a) over-polymerization of a composite and b) over-energizing a tissue. 
 
     
     
         12 . The diode lasing method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of:
 during a tissue retraction and impression procedure, operating the first laser diode at 0.4 to 1 Watt, operating the second laser diode at 0.4 to 1 Watt, moving a handpiece or distal end of the fiber with a circular motion on buccal, labial, and lingual surfaces, and optimizing tissue interaction by lightly tapping the handpiece or distal end of the fiber on a sheet of articulating paper prior to placing the handpiece or distal end of the fiber in contact with tissue.