Dental Laser Beam Shaping for Even Hard Tissue Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental laser treatments for increasing acid resistance in hard tissue often cause overheating, surface damage, and are costly, making them difficult to adopt in dental practices due to high upfront costs and complex operation requirements.
Innovation Solution
A system using a laser beam with a transverse electromagnetic mode, such as TEM 01*, and a focus optic with a numerical aperture of 0.1 or less, combined with a controller to control laser parameters, ensures even heating of dental hard tissue without overheating, and is made accessible through reduced upfront costs and subscription-based payment models.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional laser treatments are used to increase acid resistance in dental hard tissue, then carbonate removal and acid resistance enhancement are achieved, but overheating and surface damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the transverse electromagnetic mode parameter from conventional modes to specifically TEM01* mode, which fundamentally alters the energy distribution profile. This parameter change enables even irradiation across the treatment area, preventing localized overheating while maintaining effective carbonate removal and acid resistance enhancement throughout the treated region
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating uniform energy distribution across the irradiated area through TEM01* mode. Unlike conventional Gaussian beams that concentrate energy at the center, this mode distributes energy evenly across the entire beam profile, ensuring consistent heating and treatment quality at all locations within the treatment zone without creating hot spots that cause surface damage
2Productivity
If high numerical aperture focus optics are used to concentrate laser energy, then treatment effectiveness increases, but overheating and surface damage worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the numerical aperture parameter to 0.1 or less, which is a significant reduction from conventional focus optics. This parameter change maintains sufficient treatment effectiveness by combining with TEM01* mode to provide broad, even coverage, while dramatically reducing the risk of overheating and surface damage that results from excessive energy concentration
3Reliability
If expensive laser systems are deployed to achieve preventative treatment, then treatment quality improves, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the laser mode parameter to TEM01*, which can be generated by relatively simple and inexpensive laser sources. This parameter change enables high-quality, even irradiation treatment without requiring complex or expensive laser systems, making preventative dental laser treatment accessible and practical for widespread clinical use
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides even irradiation and effective acid resistance enhancement in dental hard tissue while being cost-effective and easy to use, facilitating widespread adoption in dental practices.
Implementation Method 1
a laser arrangement configured to generate a laser beam... controlling at least one parameter of the laser beam such that a portion of a surface of the dental hard tissue is heated to a temperature in a range between 400 and 1300° C.
Implementation Method 2
heating to a temperature in a range between 400 and 1300° C.
Implementation Method 3
a focus optic configured to converge the laser beam with a numerical aperture of 0.1 or less to a focal region
Data Source
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AI summary
In one aspect, embodiments relate to a system for preventative dental laser treatment that ensures even irradiation of a laser beam. The system includes, a laser arrangement configured to generate the laser beam. The laser beam has one or more of a super-Gaussian energy profile and a transverse ring mode. The system also includes a focus optic. The focus optic is configured to converge the laser beam with a numerical aperture of 0.1 or less to a focal region. The system also includes a hand piece configured to direct the laser beam at a surface of a dental hard tissue. The system additionally includes a controller. The controller is configured to control one or more parameters of the laser source, such that a portion of the surface of the dental hard tissue is heated to a temperature in a range between 400o Celsius and 1300o Celsius.