Abstract: Described are dental implements useful for inspecting tooth surfaces for abnormalities such as caries or plaque. Preferred implements of the invention include light emitting diodes mounted on an implement body having a mirror for insertion into a user's mouth. Such implements also have on-board batteries mounted in chambers in the implement handle, and a switch for energizing and de-energizing the LED with the battery. Also described are methods for examining tooth surfaces for abnormal conditions indicative of plaque involving illuminating surfaces with radiation at a wavelength in the range of 390-450 nm wherein the radiation is effective to cause detectable fluorescence emissions from bacterial metabolites known to be associated with plaque-containing surfaces, and detecting the emissions.

Abstract: Described are dental implements useful for inspecting tooth surfaces for abnormalities such as caries or plaque. Preferred implements of the invention include light-emitting diodes mounted on an implement body having a mirror for insertion into a user's mouth. Such implements also have on-board batteries mounted in chambers in the implement handle, and a switch for energizing and de-energizing the LED with the battery. Also described are methods for examining tooth surfaces for abnormal conditions indicative of plaque involving illuminating surfaces with radiation at a wavelength in the range of 390-450 nm wherein the radiation is effective to cause detectable fluorescence emissions from bacterial metabolites known to be associated with plaque-containing surfaces, and detecting the emissions.

Abstract: Described are dental implements useful for inspecting tooth surfaces for abnormalities such as caries or plaque. Preferred implements of the invention include light emitting diodes mounted on an implement body having a mirror for insertion into a user's mouth. Such implements also have on-board batteries mounted in chambers in the implement handle, and a switch for energizing and de-energizing the LED with the battery. Also described are methods for examining tooth surfaces for abnormal conditions indicative of plaque involving illuminating surfaces with radiation at a wavelength in the range of 390-450 nm wherein the radiation is effective to cause detectable fluorescence emissions from bacterial metabolites known to be associated with plaque-containing surfaces, and detecting the emissions.

Abstract: A tissue examination system is disclosed in various embodiments, generally including a handle, a lighting element, (such as an LED), a filter, and in some embodiments a mirror. In a preferred embodiment, a lighting element and filter are attached to the distal end of a handle so that fluorescence by the bodily tissue can be directly observed by the filter in various configurations. In another, a mirror is integrated with the filter and light assembly to reflect and filter fluoresced light to an observer, while in yet another, a shield blocks ambient light from interfering with the tissue examination by injecting additional light into the view.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for visualizing, measuring, monitoring, and observing damage to and decalcification of tooth tissue in a lesion based on one or more still images of the tooth, each preferably observing through an optical filter the fluorescent response of the tissue to blue excitation light. The image is analyzed based on a function(s) of optical components of the pixels, preferably comparing a ratio between optical components to one or more thresholds. Other analysis uses interpolation and/or curve fitting to reconstruct what intensities the pixels would have if the tooth were sound. In some embodiments, this reconstruction is based on the pixel intensities that the user indicates correspond to sound tooth tissue. In other embodiments, these points are automatically selected. In still other embodiments, images captured over time are analyzed to create a sequence of frames in an animation of the state of the lesion.

Abstract: Described are dental implements useful for inspecting tooth surfaces for abnormalities such as caries or plaque. Preferred implements of the invention include light emitting diodes mounted on an implement body having a mirror for insertion into a user's mouth. Such implements also have on-board batteries mounted in chambers in the implement handle, and a switch for energizing and de-energizing the LED with the battery. Also described are methods for examining tooth surfaces for abnormal conditions indicative of plaque involving illuminating surfaces with radiation at a wavelength in the range of 390-450 nm wherein the radiation is effective to cause detectable fluorescence emissions from bacterial metabolites known to be associated with plaque-containing surfaces, and detecting the emissions.