WO2001010327A1

WO2001010327A1 - Dental laser scaling device and method

Info

Publication number: WO2001010327A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/021838
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wolfgang Neuberger
Original assignee: Ceramoptec Industries, Inc.
Priority date: 1999-08-11
Filing date: 2000-08-10
Publication date: 2001-02-15

Abstract

A dental scaling device (1) is described that combines a typical scaling procedure with laser treatment. Mechanical, ultrasound or water jet scaling devices are examples of devices that can be combined with a laser source (2) to provide an improved dental instrument. This device allows teeth to not only be cleaned, but also to have harmful bacteria destroyed at the same time. This device can also be used for photodynamic therapy (PDT) in conjunction with other dental cleaning and scaling treatments.

Description

DENTAL LASER SCALING DEVICE AND METHOD

Inventor(s): Wolfgang Neuberger Assignee: CeramOptec Industries Inc.

This invention relates to dental cleaning and periodontal treatment devices. In particular dental scaling devices to remove encrustation and deposits and to treat bacterial infections.

In the dental field many devices are available to clean teeth and help prevent inflammation. Once inflammation and infection occurs, more involved procedures must be used to treat the problem. It is estimated that approximately 80 percent of the adult population suffer from some form of gum disease. It has become the most common cause of tooth loss in America. Harmful bacteria in subgingival pockets are one cause of this inflammation. Several mechanical means have been devised in order to treat periodontitis. These devices include those comprised of hand or ultrasound powered scaling tips to remove plaque buildup. They do not however treat the problem of harmful bacteria. Various antibacterial solutions can be used in the mouth to destroy harmful bacteria, but they are difficult to deliver to the subgingival areas and not very effective. U.S. Pat. No. 4,283,173 describes a general powered dental sealer. The disclosed dental sealer drives a vibrating scaling tip in a circular or ellipsoidal pattern of motion. The scaling tip has working surfaces on the edges of an elongated curved element. The curved element has a cross-sectional configuration in the shape of multi-sided figure. A triangle or a diamond is describes as being particularly useful in a sealer that has this type of vibration pattern. Each of the longitudinal edges has a radius of curvature in the range of 0.001 inch to 0.005 inch. In the description, the free end of the sealer work tool preferably terminates in rounded or ball-shaped configurations, and the working surfaces can be joined along inactive edges by a convex surface to provide "safe" surfaces. The absence of sharp edges or points on the sealer tool work surfaces substantially reduces the likelihood of damage to tooth dentin, cementum or gums. This device however can only be used for the mechanical removal of plaque build up on teeth. U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,241 describes a dental tool and method for removing plaque from teeth, for cleaning teeth and for other applications as well. This device coupled ultrasonic energy into a liquid stream that impinges upon the teeth to be cleaned. The ultrasonic energy cleans the teeth and removes plaque. The liquid stream provides a delivery means for the ultrasonic energy as well as carries away any debris produced during plaque removal or dental cleaning. The device described is suitable for home use as well as professional use because the jet stream produced is very gentle, doesn't harm the teeth, and doesn't cause any discomfort. This device and method is limited however, because it doesn't reach subgingival areas and has no effect on harmful bacteria in these subgingival areas.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,621 describes a device and method for removing deposited material from subgingival tooth surfaces. This device uses endoscopic guidance to eliminate the need for surgical cutting of the gingiva. In one embodiment, the invention comprises a simple endoscopic probe, which is inserted into the gingival sulcus to endoscopically visualize the process of and/ or effects of subgingival root planing, scaling or other plaque removal procedures carried out by other operative instruments. In another embodiment, the endoscopic viewing apparatus is incorporated into an operative instrument that is used to remove deposited materials from subgingival tooth surfaces. This allows an operator to endoscopically view and/ or guide the instrument while using it to remove material deposit on the subgingival tooth surfaces. The invention includes methods for removing deposited material from subgingival tooth surfaces under endoscopic guidance and/or monitoring. This device is complex and would require significant operator training. While endoscopic visualization helps to detect traces of material buildup that were not completely removed, the device is still not effective in treating or eliminating harmful bacteria.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,376 describes an apparatus and process that use a laser to assist mechanical drilling. This patent describes a device that projects laser energy onto a tooth to produce structural changes within the tooth. This device also includes means to mechanically abrade the structurally altered portions of the tooth. By combining laser and mechanical energy, drilling is quickly and accurately performed.

This device is one way in which lasers are used in dentistry. This device however, is limited to the drilling aspect of dental care. As described, this device is unsuitable for use on soft tissue because it is too invasive to be used on the root surface, which should be kept largely intact during treatment.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,703 describes a non-laser apparatus for the scaling of teeth and lavage of the gingival sulcus. This device allows a single instrument to provide both scaling of teeth and lavage. Periodontal pockets can be irrigated with oxygenated materials to kill anaerobic bacteria. Using this device however, the type of harmful bacteria can not be targeted or eliminated. This device is limited in usefulness because it cleans but does not include a laser source.

The present invention device however, overcomes these limitations. It not only provides a single hand-piece with dual function, but is also able to effectively destroy harmful bacteria.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a dental scaling device that incorporates means for laser treatments of the teeth.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a dental device that treats harmful bacteria as well as cleans.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that destroys harmful bacteria in subgingival areas.

Briefly stated, the invention describes a dental scaling device that combines a typical scaling procedure with laser treatment. Mechanical, ultrasound or water jet scaling devices are examples of devices that can be combined with a laser source to provide an improved dental instrument. This device allows teeth to not only be cleaned, but also to have harmful bacteria destroyed at the same time. This device can also be used for photodynamic therapy (PDT) in conjunction with other dental cleaning and scaling treatments. The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 depicts a cross sectional view of a dental sealer of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the tip shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows a dental sealer that incorporates a light guide. A combination of dentistry treatments can provide a much better level of cleaning and periodontal treatment. The current state of the art however, includes many devices that only perform single or limited types of treatments. Several methods are available for dental scaling including mechanical, ultrasound or water jet scaling devices. Most of the devices in the prior art only clean and remove plaque from the tooth but do not treat or destroy harmful bacteria. Laser energy, alone or in conjunction with photo sensitizers, has been recently shown to be effective in destroying bacteria. For example, bacteria can be destroyed using photodynamic therapy (PDT). The prior art however, does not contemplate using scaling devices in conjunction with PDT.

In alternative embodiments, the present invention combines laser energy with mechanical, ultrasound or water jet scaling into a single instrument. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a typical scaling device removes the major encrustation and deposits, while the incorporated laser energy source is used either to directly destroy bacteria or is employed in conjunction with photosensitizers. A light guide or optical fiber directs the light from the laser source to the gingiva or tooth treatment area. In an alternative embodiment, photosensitizers are delivered by suitable means to the treatment site to destroy bacteria by PDT. In PDT a photosensitizer is chosen that is best taken up by a particular type of bacteria. Laser energy activates the photosensitizer and causes the generation of singlet oxygen The singlet oxygen destroys or weakens the bacteria membranes and thus effectively destroys the bacteria. In another embodiment of the present invention, the present invention device includes delivery means for the laser radiation (laser energy) in the scaling tips. A means for radiation delivery can be either thin optical fibers or miniature channels Suitable reflecting and light guiding capabilities are incorporated into the scaling tips of the dental sealers under this invention. Fig. 1 depicts a cross sectional view of a dental sealer of the present invention.

Optical fiber 2 is incorporated into scaling tip 5 and hand-piece 1. Connector 4 joins scaling tip 5 to hand-piece 1. Fluid channel 3 delivers either cooling or photosensitizing substances to a tooth treatment area. Fluid substances are delivered from some proximal supply area to a tooth treatment area. Distal end 6 of tip 5 is appropriately designed to reach a desired tooth treatment area. In an alternative embodiment, subgingival areas can be reached as well. Optical fiber 2 runs from an appropriate laser source, such as a diode laser, to a tooth treatment area. Laser energy is used to destroy harmful bacteria. In an alternative embodiment it is used to activate photosensitizers which cause the eradication of harmful bacteria. Fig. 2 is an end view of distal end 6 shown in Fig. 1. Distal end 22 of fluid channel 3 as depicted in Fig. 1, allows cooling or photosensitizers to be delivered to the tooth area. Embedded in wall 21 of scaling tip 5 is optical fiber 2. The distal end 23 of optical fiber 2 delivers laser energy to the tooth area.

Another embodiment is depicted in Fig. 3, which shows a cross sectional view of a dental sealer that incorporates a light guide. Laser radiation travels via light guide 32 through hand-piece 31 and scaling tip 35 to distal end 36 of tip 35. Scaling tip 35 is connected to hand-piece 31 by a suitable connector 34. In this embodiment laser radiation is used to either directly destroy harmful bacteria or in a PDT process. Photosensitizers chosen to aid in the destruction of bacteria are applied to the desired tooth area. Once activated by laser energy, the photosensitizers generate singlet oxygen to weaken and destroy the particular bacteria. Having described preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A laser dental scaling device wherein a conventional dental scaling device is modified by incorporation of means to deliver laser radiation to a treatment site.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said means to deliver radiation is chosen from the group; thin optical fibers, miniature channels, or suitably reflecting and light guiding channels.

3. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a delivery channel for fluids/ substances wherein said delivery channel brings said fluids/substances from a proximal supply to a treatment site.

4. A method of periodontal treatment using a laser dental scaling device, which supplements a standard dental treatment with laser irradiation of soft tissue and teeth to reduce bacteria at a treatment site.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein said irradiation of a treatment site occurs either simultaneously, intermittently or sequentially to conventional scaling action.

6. A method according to claim 4, wherein said laser irradiation directly reduces bacteria at said treatment site.

7. A method according to claim 4, wherein a photosensitizer is introduced to said treatment site and said laser irradiation activates said photosensitizer and bacteria reduction is accomplished through photodynamic therapy.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein said photosensitizer reduces bacteria by generating singlet oxygen upon photo-activation.

9. A method according to claim 7, wherein said introduction of photosensitizer is by means of a fluid channel in said laser dental scaling device.

10. A method according to claim 7, wherein said photosensitizer is introduced to a said treatment site independently of said laser dental scaling device.