Dental treatment system

A system for the practice of a dental procedure on teeth or associated tooth structure by the use of an abrasive-laden fluid stream comprising, in combination with a source of pressurized fluid at an initial pressure:

• (a) manifold means connected to said source of pressurized fluid for providing at least first and second parallel flow paths for said pressurized fluid;
• (b) first pressure reducing means in said first flow path for providing said fluid at a first pressure in a portion of said first flow path downstream of said first pressure reducing means, said first pressure being less than about said initial pressure;
• (c) second pressure reducing means for providing said fluid at a second pressure in a portion of said second flow path downstream of said second pressure reducing means, said second pressure being less than about said first pressure;
• (d) second manifold means for combining said first and second flow paths;
• (e) pressure selection means for selectively blocking or unblocking fluid communication between said second manifold means and said downstream portions of each of said flow paths;
• (f) abrasive mixing means for combining pressurized fluid from said second manifold means with the abrasive material to produce a pressurized stream of abrasive-laden fluid;
• and
• (g) delivery means for delivering said stream of abrasive-laden fluid to the teeth or tooth structure undergoing said dental procedure.

A system for the practice of a dental procedure on teeth or associated tooth structure comprising:

• a source of pressurized fluid at an initial pressure above atmospheric pressure;
• inlet manifold means for providing at least first and second parallel flow paths for said fluid;
• pressure selection means selectively establishing a first pressure in said first flow path and a second pressure in said second flow path, each of said pressures being less than said initial pressure;
• a common outlet manifold for said first and second flow paths;
• abrasive mixing means connected to said common outlet manifold for combining abrasive particles with said fluid at about either said first or said second pressure to provide an abrasive-laden fluid stream;
• and
• nozzle means connected to said abrasive mixing means for delivering said abrasive-laden fluid stream to the teeth or tooth structure undergoing said dental procedure.

A system for the practice of a dental procedure on teeth or associated tooth structure comprising:

• a source of pressurized gas at an initial pressure above atmospheric;
• pressure selection means for selectively providing said gas at least at a first, second and a third pressure, each of said pressures being different and being less than about said initial pressure;
• said pressure selection means including common inlet manifold means connected to said source and including conduits providing at least first, second and third flow paths for said fluid, said pressure selection means establishing said first pressure in said first flow path, said second pressure in said second flow path and said third pressure in said third flow path;
• abrasive mixing means for combining abrasive particles with said fluid at about either said first or second pressure to provide an abrasive-laden fluid stream;
• and
• nozzle means for delivering said abrasive-laden fluid stream to the teeth or tooth structure undergoing said dental procedure.

A system for performing a dental procedure on teeth associated tooth structure by means of abrasive particles carried by a fluid stream comprising:

• pressure increasing means for increasing the pressure of said fluid stream to an initial pressure;
• pressure selection means connected to said pressure increasing means for selectively providing said fluid at a plurality of preselected pressure values below said initial pressure;
• pressure relief means for each said preselected pressure value, said pressure relief means being operative at pressures above each said preselected pressure value for relief of pressure above each said preselected pressure value when said preselected pressure value is selected;
• abrasive mixing means for combining the abrasive particles with said fluid at each said preselected pressure value to provide an abrasive-laden fluid stream;
• selectively operable means for activating and deactivating said abrasive mixing means;
• and
• nozzle means for delivering said abrasive-laden fluid stream to the teeth or tooth structure undergoing said dental procedure.