Abstract: Dental formations, including teeth, gums and supporting bone structure within the oral cavity, can be mapped by ultrasonic scanning technique, thus allowing examination and diagnosis of conditions within the intraosseous environment, including hard and soft tissue. The mapping technique can provide highly resolved details of formations, such as teeth and bridges, and their resident defect, including caries and cracks. The mapped data allow for a more precise and accurate diagnosis for the dental patient, and it provides the dentist with a detailed archive for diagnosis.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for mapping the structure and topography of dental formations such as peridontium and teeth, both intact and prepared, for diagnosis and dental prosthetics and bridgework by using an ultrasonic scanning technique. This method can provide highly resolved details of orally situated dental formations thus enabling diagnosis and the preparation of precision moldings and fabrications that will provide greater comfort and longer wear to the dental patient.