COMBINATION AIR ABRASIVE SYSTEM AND LASER SYSTEM FOR DENTAL APPLICATIONS

摘要

A combination air abrasive and laser system (10) are provided for dental applications. The air abrasive system (16) creates an abrasive material laden gas flow and then directs this gas flow towards a target site in the patient's mouth. The air abrasive system (16) also includes a vacuum system (36) which creates an airflow to remove the abrasive material after impingement on the target site. The abrasive material is filtered from the airflow and the resulting clean air is then used to create a positive pressure within the housing (12) for the dental laser system (14) to prevent entry of debris and other contaminants within the laser system (14). Additionally, the clean airflow is used to clean the lens system (50) for the laser. Also, the air abrasive system (16) and laser system (14) include a common control system (54) and may also utilize a common aiming and illumination mechanism (66). Further, the combination unit (10) has a common light source (62) that not only illuminates the target area, but can be used as a curing light for dental materials, which light source may or may not be a laser. Further, the combination unit (10) has a single common foot switch (80) that allows performance of more than one task.