US 11,918,824 B2
Laser system for enhancing remineralization and strength of hard tissue
Charles Kerbage, Arlington, MA (US); Ali Badreddine, Boston, MA (US); Stephen Couitt, Auburndale, MA (US); and Roni Cantor-Balan, Natick, MA (US)
Assigned to Convergent Dental, Inc., Waltham, MA (US)
Filed by Convergent Dental, Inc., Needham, MA (US)
Filed on Dec. 31, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/139,208.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/956,862, filed on Jan. 3, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0205633 A1, Jul. 8, 2021
Int. Cl. A61N 5/06 (2006.01); A61C 19/06 (2006.01); A61N 5/067 (2006.01)
CPC A61N 5/0603 (2013.01) [A61C 19/063 (2013.01); A61N 2005/0606 (2013.01); A61N 5/067 (2021.08)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for treating a hard dental tissue, the method comprising the steps of:
generating a laser beam using a laser source;
directing the laser beam to a treatment surface of the hard dental tissue using an optic in optical communication with the laser source, wherein the laser beam comprises a spot size at the treatment surface in a range from 0.2 mm to 5 mm;
controlling the laser source and the optic using a controller to deliver the laser beam to the treatment surface to treat an area of the hard dental tissue at a rate in a range from 10 cm2/min to 20 cm2/min with a fluence in a range from 0.4 J/cm2 up to 1.2 J/cm2 to:
remove at least some carbonate from the treatment surface to generate an acid resistant surface without damaging the hard dental tissue;
thereafter determining a depth mineral loss (ΔZ) value of the hard dental tissue; and
confirming the ΔZ value of the hard dental tissue is at least 10% lower relative to untreated hard dental tissue.