Abstract: The present invention relates to a tooth coating applicator (10), typically in the form of a strip (11), and a method for applying a dental sealant to a surface of a tooth (T), and specifically to the interproximal surface (S) thereof. The applicator (10) is elongated and is adapted to be typically inserted into an interproximal space (I) defined between a pair of adjacent teeth (T, T?) and to be gradually slid against a dental surface of one of the teeth.

Abstract: There is provided a method for detecting interproximal tooth defects such as caries by injecting light at one or more wavelengths into a tooth and detecting reflected/diffracted light or emitted fluorescence. The detected light intensity is characteristic of a healthy or diseased tooth in the interproximal area.

Abstract: There is disclosed a tartar removal tip having a ceramic distal portion and a metal proximal portion. An optical dental pathology detection system has a housing that mates with a handle of a tartar removal instrument. A replacement tip for a tartar removal device has integrated optical components and a coupler for coupling to a dental pathology detection system without interacting or changing a handle of an instrument to which the replacement tip connects.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A system for detecting dental root canal apical foramina of a tooth (T) 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 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 root canal apical foramina. This enables the diagnosis of the presence or absence of dental root canal apical foramina on the tooth structure.

Abstract: A dental tartar detection and removal device (10) comprises a powered tartar removal instrument (12) adapted to be displaced along a tooth (T), illumination means (14) for illuminating with an incident light a region on the examined or periodontal site, detection means (16) for collecting the light reflected there at, and an analysing system for providing a signal to an operator (OP) of the tartar removal instrument (12) or to the tartar removal instrument when measurements on the reflected light in one or more predetermined ranges of wavelengths fall within any first predetermined range of values that are characteristic of tartar, or when said measurements do not fall within any second predetermined range of values that are characteristic of artefacts other than tartar.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for applying a sealant (S) on an interproximal surface of a tooth (DT) comprising a closed surface (SF), positioning means (AL) for positioning the closed surface (SF) against an interproximal surface of the tooth (DT) to be treated, a sealing agent (AS) designed to be generally positioned between the closed surface (SF) and the interproximal surface and to adhere to the interproximal surface, and maintaining means (F, PMT2, C, EO) for maintaining the closed surface (SF) in position against the interproximal surface while the sealing agent (AS) is cured. The sealing agent (AS), when cured, constitutes at least part of the sealant (S) applied on the interproximal surface. The closed surface (SF) is flexible and designed to match at its periphery the interproximal surface so that the sealing agent (AS), when cured, substantially merges without interruption with the general surface of the tooth (DT), the general surface comprising the interproximal surface.

Abstract: A dental tartar detection system (10), especially for detection of subgingival tartar (S), comprises a probe (12) adapted to be displaced along a tooth (T) an illumination system (14) for illuminating with an incident light a region on the tooth (T), a detection system (16) for collecting the light reflected thereat, and an analysis system (34) for providing a signal to an operator of the probe (12) when measurements on the reflected light in one or more predetermined range of wavelengths fall within any predetermined range of values that are characteristic of tartar (S). Typically, the detection of tartar (S) is achieved on the basis of the possible colours that tartar (S) can have such that the aforementioned one or more predetermined range of values cover wavelengths associated with colours of tartar (S).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tooth coating applicator (10), typically in the form of a strip (11), and a method for applying a dental sealant to a surface of a tooth (T), and specifically to the interproximal surface (S) thereof. The applicator (10) is elongated and is adapted to be typically inserted into an interproximal space (I) defined between a pair of adjacent teeth (T, T′) and to be gradually slid against a dental surface of one of the teeth.