Dual-Wavelength Tooth Pulp Thickness Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental practices lack an unobtrusive method to detect the presence and distance to the dental pulp, relying heavily on experience and X-ray imaging, which is limited and exposes patients to radiation, leading to unintended pulp exposure and increased treatment costs.
Innovation Solution
A device using a light source arrangement to emit light at two wavelengths, a sensor arrangement to measure reflected and scattered light, and a processor to analyze intensity maps to estimate the thickness of rigid material covering the pulp, utilizing the differential absorption and reflection of light by blood in the dental pulp.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If X-ray imaging is used to detect pulp presence and distance, then measurement capability is provided, but harmful ionizing radiation is exposed to patients and treatment time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/X-ray imaging system with an optical measurement system. A light source emits light through the tooth structure to the pulp, and a sensor detects the transmitted light intensity. This substitution eliminates ionizing radiation exposure while providing real-time pulp depth measurement capability during dental procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary medium to detect pulp presence. Instead of using X-rays directly to image the pulp, the system uses light transmission through the tooth structure as an intermediary mechanism. The light intensity modulation caused by the pulp's optical properties serves as the detection signal, avoiding direct radiation exposure to the patient.
2Device complexity
If reliance on dentist experience and visual appearance is used for pulp detection, then no additional equipment is needed, but detection accuracy is insufficient leading to unintended pulp exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service detection system that provides objective, quantitative pulp depth measurement without requiring the dentist's subjective experience or visual estimation. The automated optical measurement system independently performs the detection function, freeing the dentist from relying solely on their expertise while maintaining simple equipment integration into existing dental workflows.
3Reliability
If stepwise excavation is used to reduce pulp exposure risk, then pulp exposure rate decreases from 29% to 18%, but treatment time increases and patient discomfort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by measuring pulp depth before the excavation process begins. The optical measurement system provides advance knowledge of the pulp's precise location and distance from the tooth surface, allowing the dentist to plan the excavation depth in advance. This eliminates the need for cautious stepwise excavation and multiple appointments, enabling single-appointment treatment with reduced risk of unintended pulp exposure.
4Ease of operation
If light transmission through tooth rigid material is used for detection, then unobtrusive measurement is achieved, but the method relies on differential absorption properties of blood at different wavelengths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by measuring light transmission at multiple different wavelengths. The system detects pulp presence and depth by analyzing how blood absorbs light differently at various wavelengths. This multi-wavelength approach provides robust detection capability, as the differential absorption pattern serves as a unique signature for pulp identification, making the measurement both unobtrusive and reliable.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Provides accurate and unobtrusive detection of pulp presence and distance, reducing unintended pulp exposure and treatment costs by integrating with existing dental tools, enhancing safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a light source arrangement configured to emit light at a first wavelength and light at a second wavelength onto the tooth
Implementation Method 2
a sensor arrangement for measuring the intensity of light reflected and scattered from the tooth corresponding to the first and second wavelengths
Implementation Method 3
the blood in the dental pulp can then absorb or reflect the light. In some cases, the absorption and/or reflection is dependent on the wavelength of the light
Data Source
AI summary
A device for estimating the thickness of rigid material in a tooth covering the pulp of the tooth. The device comprises a light source arrangement configured to emit light at a first wavelength and light at a second wavelength onto the tooth and a sensor arrangement for measuring the intensity of light reflected and scattered from the tooth corresponding to the first and second wavelengths. The device also comprises a processor configured to receive a first intensity map corresponding to the first wavelength and a second intensity map corresponding to the second wavelength from the sensor arrangement, analyze the first intensity map and the second intensity map to asses the amount of light reflected and scattered from the tooth corresponding to the first wavelength and the second wavelength and estimate an indication of thickness for the rigid material covering the pulp of the tooth based on the analysis.