HEALTH CARE

Filling the Holes: Nearly two years have passed since Premier Laser Systems sought approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to sell lasers for treating tooth cavities.

But the Irvine company keeps plugging away.

Earlier this month, it took steps to strengthen its case by handing regulators test results showing how its lasers can be used to remove tooth decay and prepare teeth for fillings. Five dentists around the country used the lasers for more than 1,200 procedures on patients.

Most of the patients didn’t require anesthesia, says Colette Cozean, Premier’s chairman. The dentists discovered that the lasers worked better than traditional drills for frontal teeth, but not as well for back molars, she said.

Meanwhile, Cozean said the company will use the test results this year to begin marketing lasers in the Far East. It also will present the tests when it seeks multiple clearances in Europe, as well.