Device and method for removing deposits from teeth

A device for the removal of deposits on teeth (2) comprising a laser light source for generating a pulsed laser light beam (25), said laser light source including a light conductor (26) leading to a hand held applicator (28), means for adjusting the wavelength of said laser light source to a value in the range from 300 to 600 nm in correspondence to absorption behavior of the deposits such that said deposits are selectively removed, the laser light source having an energy density of 0.5 to 10 J/cm.sup.2 in the light spot, said applicator (28) enclosing the pulsed laser light beam (25) in a liquid let (30), said applicator (28) being constructed and arranged to discharge the pulsed laser light beam (25) and the liquid let (30) coaxially, and said applicator (28) includes a discharge tip having a diameter substantially within the range of 1 to 1.5 mm to allow introduction thereof into a gingival pocket (6) of an associated tooth.