210 results about "Cementum caries" patented technology

Methods and apparatuses for generating a model of a subject's teeth. Described herein are intraoral scanning methods and apparatuses for generating a three-dimensional model of a subject's intraoral region (e.g., teeth) including both surface features and internal features. These methods and apparatuses may be used for identifying and evaluating lesions, caries and cracks in the teeth. Any of these methods and apparatuses may use minimum scattering coefficients and/or segmentation to form a volumetric model of the teeth.

The invention provides methods, apparatus and kits for regenerating dental tissue in vivo that are useful for treating a variety of dental conditions, exemplified by treatment of caries. The invention uses tissue scaffold wafers, preferably made of PGA, PLLA, PDLLA or PLGA dimensioned to fit into a hole of corresponding sized drilled into the tooth of subject to expose dental pulp in vivo. In certain embodiments the tissue scaffold wafer further comprises calcium phosphate and fluoride. The tissue scaffold wafer may be secured into the hole with a hydrogel, a cement or other suitable material. Either the wafer or the hydrogel or both contain a morphogenic agent, such as a member encoded by the TGF-β supergene family, that promotes regeneration and differentiation of healthy dental tissue in vivo, which in turn leads to remineralization of dentin and enamel. The tissue scaffold may further include an antibiotic or anti-inflammatory agent.

A system for detecting dental caries on a tooth (T) structure comprises an electromagnetic conductor for directing at least one initial radiation (Ir) onto a tooth structure to be evaluated, an electromagnetic collector for collecting at least one resulting electromagnetic radiation (Rr) that has been at least one of reflected by and transmitted through the tooth (T) as a result of F the initial radiation (Ir). The collector is adapted to deliver the resulting electromagnetic radiation (Rr) to a detection device (D). The detection device (D) is adapted to compare at least one intensity of the at least one resulting radiation (Rr) with at least one predetermined value that corresponds to one of the presence and absence of dental caries. This enables the diagnosis of the presence or the absence of dental caries on the tooth structure.

An apparatus for imaging a tooth has at least one illumination source for providing an incident light having a first spectral range for obtaining a reflectance image of the tooth and a second spectral range for exciting a fluorescence image of the tooth. A first polarizer having a first polarization axis and a compensator in the path of the incident light of the first spectral range are disposed to direct light toward the tooth. A second polarizer is disposed to direct light obtained from the tooth toward a sensor and has a second polarization axis that is orthogonal to the first polarization axis. A lens is positioned in the return path to direct image-bearing light from the tooth toward the sensor for obtaining image data. A filter in the path of the image-bearing light from the tooth is treated to attenuate light in the second spectral range.

A probe assembly for examining a sample, the assembly including a probe, a fiber optic cable for communicating signals to and/or from the probe, an emitter for emitting radiation to irradiate the sample and an electro-magnetic radiation detector for detecting radiation which is transmitted or reflected from the sample. The emitter includes a frequency conversion member which emits radiation in response to being irradiated with input radiation which has a different frequency to that of the emitted radiation. At least one of the emitter or detector is located in the probe. The probe is particularly for use as an endoscope or for imaging teeth. The invention also extends to a method of imaging teeth, and apparatus for imaging diseased teeth, for example, teeth with caries or suffering from periodontal disease.

A camera head of a dental camera for detecting caries in an interdental space has an illuminating device for illuminating a tooth adjacent to the interdental space, which includes an infrared light source. The camera head further includes optics which have an image plane and an object plane, wherein an image sensor is located in the image plane, and the object plane divides the space into two half spaces, wherein a first half space contains the optics and is located in front of the object plane, and a second half space is located behind the object plane, both as seen from the optics. The illuminating device and the optics are designed and arranged with respect to one another in such a way that the illuminating device is arranged in the first half space and infrared light exiting the illuminating device is aimed in the direction of the second half space.

A method is disclosed for processing of images to detect dental caries, that includes the following steps. Directing incident light (16) toward a tooth (20), where this light excites a fluorescent emission from the tooth. Obtaining a fluorescence image (35) from the fluorescent light component (19), and obtaining a reflectance image (34) from the back-scattered light (18) from the tooth. Applying a color balance operation to the reflectance image. Removing the specular reflectance components from the color balanced reflectance image (82) to give a back-scattered reflectance image (50). Registering the fluorescent image with the back-scattered reflectance image. Combining the registered fluorescent image (115) with the back-scattered reflectance image to provide a diagnostic image (52).

A method and system is provided for charting tooth decay to assist in caries management. Specifically, the invention provides a computer system, a Graphical User Interface(GUI), a method, and associated computer code for presenting an interactive tooth chart comprising selectable, anatomically correct tooth icons corresponding to a dental patient's teeth. The invention allows a user to select regions of each individual tooth icon to record the condition of the selected region. According to the invention, a dental patient is selected from a patient data base, the patent's teeth are examined, and the condition of each tooth region is recorded using selectable icons. The invention further provides automatic characterization of dental conditions based on standard values and previously recorded conditions to indicate progression of disease. In an alternative embodiment, the invention provides a recommended course of clinical management based on the information recorded. In another embodiment the invention automatically classifies patients into risk categories and provides suggested x-ray exam intervals. Thus, particular advantages of the current invention include ease of recording dental conditions, more accurate dental charting, and automatic analysis of recorded dental data, advantageously resulting in better patient care and more efficient use of a dental care provider's time.

A hand-held microwave system for intra-oral dentistry utilizes microwave energy to cure polymer materials intra-orally so as to produce dental composites having improved physical characteristics, and also utilizes microwave energy to detect the presence of and to preferentially heat caries or cavities, thereby disinfecting and therapeutically treating the caries in a potentially non-invasive manner. The intra-oral polymerization process can be accomplished with less overall energy and with composite-matrices that maximally absorb the microwave energy so as to reduce heating of adjacent tissue. The antenna of a hand-held version of the intra-oral microwave system is also advantageously designed to detect the presence of and to preferentially heat caries or cavities, thereby disinfecting and therapeutically treating the caries in a potentially non-invasive manner. A method and product by process for the system are also disclosed.

Disclosed are methods of enhancing fluoride incorporation into teeth and mineralization of teeth by use of oral care compositions comprising the combination of one or more fluoride ion sources and specialized phosphonate containing polymers or telomers. The present methods provide enhanced protection of teeth against caries and cavities and increased resistance to acid demineralization associated with caries processes as well as anticalculus (antitartar) benefits.

Methods and apparatuses for generating a model of a subject's teeth. Described herein are intraoral scanning methods and apparatuses for generating a three-dimensional model of a subject's intraoral region (e.g., teeth) including both surface features and internal features. These methods and apparatuses may be used for identifying and evaluating lesions, caries and cracks in the teeth. Any of these methods and apparatuses may use minimum scattering coefficients and/or segmentation to form a volumetric model of the teeth.

The present invention provides a method of evaluating the risk of possible caries and the device, system, and program of the same, which is useful for the subjects to keep their mouth conditions best by measuring the chemical properties of saliva samples collected from the mouths of subjects to allow for easy and sanitary evaluation of the risk of possible caries in a short time and to help the subjects accurately recognize their risk of possible caries and closely consult their dentist. In the present invention, saliva from the mouth of subject is collected, a given ratio of acid is added to the saliva, and the chemical property of the saliva is measured to evaluate the risk of possible caries base on the measured value.

A method and a device for treating dental caries using microwave energy applied directly to teeth at frequencies that are lethal to the bacteria in caries, without being destructive to tooth tissues. The method and a device will have a significant economic and health impact, leading to a reduction in traditional surgical interventions, as well by improving access to care for those with health disparities.

Oral care compositions containing agents that are effective for treating and modifying teeth and mucosal surfaces to be hydrophobic are disclosed. Hydrophobic modification of teeth and other oral cavity surfaces imparts a variety of end use benefits including prevention of caries, erosion, wear, staining, sensitivity and desquamation as well as providing shine, smoothness and positive tooth feel benefits. The compositions contain selected surface active organophosphate compounds that deposit and adhere to teeth and other oral cavity surfaces forming a hydrophobic coating having prolonged retention thereon. By forming a “hydrophobic coating” on the oral cavity surface is meant that the hydrophobic character of the surface is increased as measured, for example, by an increase of at least about 10 degrees in the water contact angle of the surface after treatment. The increased hydrophobic character of the surface is maintained for a period of at least about 5 minutes and desirably longer such as at least about 10, at least about 20 or at least about 30 minutes. The compositions may contain additional hydrophobic materials to further increase hydrophobicity of the surface and/or functionality of the coating to provide surface protection and many other benefits.

To obtain a composition for caries prevention, which has effects for efficiently suppressing demineralization and promoting remineralization and stability in keeping for a long time, 0.01 to 10% by weight of sodium carboxymethylcellulose having the etherification degree of 0.7 to 1.0 is used in a composition blended with a casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate complex (CPP-ACP) and/or a casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium fluoride phosphate complex (CPP-ACFP), a sodium carboxymethylcellulose, a viscosity regulator and water.

Systems and methods for improved thermophotonic imaging are provided in which both amplitude and phase image information is obtained with a high signal to noise ratio and depth-resolved capabilities. Image data obtained from an imaging camera is dynamically averaged and subsequently processed to extract amplitude and/or phase image data. The system may be configured for a wide range of imaging modalities, including single frequency modulation (thermophotonic lock-in imaging), Thermal-Wave Radar imaging or Thermophotonic Radar imaging involving chirp modulation, and Binary Phase Coded Modulation. Such imaging modalities may find application in many diverse areas, including non-destructive testing and biomedical diagnostic imaging including the imaging of teeth and monitoring changes in the tooth over time which are due to pathology such as dental caries or erosion.

A chewing gum able to prevent decayed tooth is prepared from the decayed through resistant yolk antibody, gum matrix, xylitol, arabic gum, mannitol, citric acid, lecithin and edible essence. Its preparing process is also disclosed.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for regenerating tooth germ, and more specifically, to provide a method for regenerating tooth germ with a size sufficient for enabling the treatment of patients who have lost teeth or have had teeth damaged by dental diseases such as pyorrhea alveolaris or dental caries. The present invention provides a method for regenerating tooth germ, which comprises culturing tooth germ cells in the presence of a physiologically active substance.

A slow-dissolving troche with polyol molecules is disclosed. It may be an adherent troche, preferably adhered to teeth or gums or cheek with acacia gum, or a lollipop or child's pacifier. Consumers are instructed to use the troches at the end of each day and after each meal, at least four times per day to benefit oral health, particularly caries, gingivitis, periodontitis, ear infections, sinus infections, halitosis and risk of Streptococcus mutans infecting their blood from their mouths. The polyol molecules are preferably xylitol. The troches may be made with a bi-layer tablet press rounded on one side and flat on the other, preferably using acacia gum in the flat side layer for adhesion.

Disclosed are dental varnishes comprising reaction products of rosins with polyalcohols dissolved in mixtures of C₂-C₄ alcohols with C₅-C₇ hydrocarbons which have been found effective in preventing tooth decay and alleviating tooth sensitivity. Such varnishes may, optionally, incorporate therapeutic, antimicrobial and sensory enhancing ingredients.