A wireless, remote foot controller and a wireless instrument in direct communication with one another and method of operation. The remote foot controller can determine the wireless instrument in the hand of the dental professional and can determine whether the instrument is operational in an continuously variable mode or whether the instrument is operational at discrete speeds. The remote foot controller can then respond to activation by a user to provide a predetermined signal that drives the handheld unit with the appropriate signal. The remote foot controller is activated by application of pressure to the foot controller that provides tactile, sensory feedback to the user. The foot controller includes a circuit board, antenna and battery so that it is wireless. The circuit board includes communications protocol to permit the foot controller to communicate with several dental instruments. Although the foot controller is capable of controlling multiple dental instruments, it only controls one dental instrument at a time, usually the most recent device in the hands of the dental professional.

In a dental operatory system a master device coordinates the activity levels of multiple slave devices. The master device coordinates activity via a communication link with all slave devices. A communication protocol incorporates a closed system addresses scheme in which the master device learns all associated addresses of slave devices, and all slave devices learn all associated addresses of the master device. Each communication between master device and any slave device includes both the master device address and the slave device address. The master device scans all slave devices for an activity status and determines which slave device exhibits a threshold level of activity, and whether activity is increasing or decreasing. The master device passes a communication control token to the slave device to be controlled by operation of the master device.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a foot controller for a dental unit chair and a dental unit chair comprising same, wherein a foot controller for a dental unit chair for controlling a treatment tool provided in the dental unit chair comprises: an air valve for controlling the flow rate of air supplied to the treatment tool; a cam block that is installed under a rod provided in the air valve and has a plurality of inclined surfaces having different inclination angles; a pedal part that is disposed at a position spaced apart from the cam block by a predetermined distance and is capable of being rotated left and right and moved vertically by an external force; and a connecting part that connects the cam block and the pedal part so that the cam block moves in conjunction with the movement of the pedal part.

Embodiments of the invention include a handpiece system including a detachable cable that can receive at least power, and a detachable cable connector, where the detachable cable connector and detachable cable are reversibly attachable to each other. In some embodiments, the system includes an interchangeable laser module, where the laser module and detachable cable connector are reversibly attachable to each other. Further, the interchangeable laser module is configured and arranged to receive at least the power via the cable connector when coupled to the cable connector, and to be removed from the detachable cable connector and replaced with another laser module. In some embodiments, the system further includes an interchangeable handpiece which is reversibly attachable to the interchangeable laser module. Further, the interchangeable handpiece is configured and arranged to be removed from the interchangeable laser module and replaced with another interchangeable handpiece.

Periodontal disorders such as disorders associated with a dental implant are treated. An average power for a laser is selected via a user interface on a tablet, along with a set of permissible laser parameters provided in response to the selected average power. A gingival trough or flap is created around the implant with the laser. Infected tissue is selectively ablated or denatured via photothermolysis, and a pocket is lased around the affected implant. Marginal tissues are compressed against the implant.