Dental handpieces, motors, couplers and other dental instruments and methods having multiple very small, high output, LEDs in a single lamp assembly to facilitate incorporation of a plurality of wavelengths emitted from these devices to allow dentists to select between the benefits of multiple wavelength light outputs to the working area in a single device.

A dental instrument comprises a fluid driven handpiece in fluid communication with a valve; a source of fluid in fluid communication with the valve; and a controller in electrical communication with the valve and an actuator positioned on the handpiece. The actuator is configured to cause the valve to move between a first position in which fluid cannot flow from the source of fluid to the handpiece and a second position in which fluid flows from the source of fluid to the handpiece thereby driving the handpiece. The dental instrument may further comprise a second actuator in communication with the controller. The second actuator is configured to cause the valve to move between the first position in which fluid cannot flow from the source of fluid to the handpiece and the second position in which fluid flows from the source of fluid to the handpiece thereby driving the handpiece.

Various aspects are directed to dental extraction and dental extraction devices. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments herein, a dental extraction apparatus includes an engagement component that extracts teeth from patients' mouths by engaging with and applying a torque to a tooth. An input torque component translates received input torque to the engagement component. A torque controller operates with the input torque component and the engagement component to limit the applied torque, relative to input torque provided via the input torque component.

A system for driving an electric handpiece in response to a pneumatic control signal may provide for fast interchange of handpieces, self-calibration and wide dynamic range of operation with precise speed control. The system may be incorporated into virtually any dental treatment center using traditional pneumatic drive handpieces, and a conversion kit may facilitate such conversion. The system may provide not only for controlling the speed and torque of a tool coupled to an electric drive handpiece responsive to a pneumatic control signal, it may also provide for coupling cooling air and treatment media, such as air and/or water to the handpiece. Coupling of a handpiece to an operating base of the system, including coupling of media lines and electrical connections may be made with a simple press and twist action using quick connection structure.

An assembly with a handpiece assembly configured to receive electromagnetic energy and fluid, and to selectively deliver the electromagnetic energy and/or the fluid to a target surface. The handpiece assembly includes a handpiece housing and a plurality of fluid lines extending through the handpiece housing. The plurality of fluid lines can transfer fluid from a proximal end of the handpiece assembly to a distal end of the handpiece assembly. A spray mixer can be positioned at the distal end that is coupled to fluid lines of the plurality of fluid lines. An air input port can be positioned at the proximal end that is configured to be coupled to an auxiliary air hose, and an air delivery channel can be coupled to the air input port, and can supply air to a tip of an exchangeable applicator that can be coupled to the distal end of the handpiece housing.

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.

A disinfecting system including a delivery unit having a dental instrument holder, a dental instrument engagable with the dental instrument holder, a fluid supply line fluidly coupled to the dental instrument to provide fluid to the dental instrument, and a disinfecting device in fluid communication with at least one of the supply lines and the dental instrument.

This disclosure relates to various systems and methods related to preventative laser-based treatment of a dental tissue; for example, to prevent a patient from forming cavities. In some instances, a laser-based treatment system can generate a laser beam pulse with a fluence profile at a treatment site that results in either an increase in acid resistance of the tissue or removal of carbonate from the tissue, without melting or ablating the tissue. In some instances, the laser-based treatment system can direct the laser beam to various locations within a treatment site according to a temporal and/or spatial pattern, that results in either an increase in acid resistance of the tissue or removal of carbonate from the tissue, without melting or ablating the tissue. Many other systems and techniques for preventative and other laser-based treatment are also described.

A dental handpiece (1) having a drive (3) of a tool (4), which drive is located in a head housing (2), has at least one media-conducting line arranged in the head housing, which media-conducting line has an outlet opening to the tool, and a tool receptacle (16) arranged in a drive chamber, which tool receptacle is rotatably supported by means of a rolling bearing (11) in a support (14) of the head housing (2) on a side of the drive chamber facing the tool. The rolling bearing has an outer race (13), which is supported against the head housing (2) radially in the support (14) in the area of a raceway (22) and which has a sub-area (21), the outside diameter D2 of which is reduced compared to the outside diameter D1 in the area of the raceway (22). The head housing has a housing projection (23), which extends into the area of the reduced outside diameter D2, and the media-conducting line (17) runs at least partially through said housing projection (23).

An integrated system and method for treating dental caries by an endodontic procedure which in a first embodiment deploys a handpiece fitted with an endodontic file with a rotating tip. The handpiece includes an elongated shaft including a turbine at a distal end of the elongated shaft such that the turbine provides a rotational force to the rotating tip.