Abstract: A device is disclosed for identifying caries, plaque, bacterial infection, concretions, tartar and other fluorescent substances on teeth. The device has means for generating stimulating radiation which is to be directed onto a tooth-tissue region that is to be investigated. The device also has detection means and evaluation means for detecting and evaluating fluorescent radiation that is generated by the irradiated tooth-tissue region in response to the irradiation. A beam splitter, which is arranged in the optical path between the means for generating the stimulating radiation and the tooth-tissue region to be investigated and which reflects the stimulating radiation in the direction of the tooth-tissue region and substantially lets through the fluorescent radiation, is formed by the planar rear side of a substantially hemispherical lens. In this way a more compact optical diagnostic device is rendered possible.

Abstract: In the case of a device for identifying caries, plaque, bacterial infection, concretions, tartar and other fluorescent substances on teeth, having means (2) for generating stimulating radiation (A) which is to be directed onto a tooth-tissue region that is to be investigated, and detection means (7) and evaluation means for detecting and evaluating fluorescent radiation (F) that is generated by the irradiated tooth-tissue region in response to the irradiation, a beam splitter, which is arranged in the optical path between the means (2) for generating the stimulating radiation (A) and the tooth-tissue region to be investigated and which reflects the stimulating radiation (A) in the direction of the tooth-tissue region and substantially lets through the fluorescent radiation (F), is formed by the planar rear side (4) of a substantially hemispherical lens (3). In this way a clearly more compact optical diagnostic device is rendered possible.