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Method and apparatus for detecting the presence of caries in teeth using visible luminescence

  • US 4,290,433 A
  • Filed: 08/20/1979
  • Issued: 09/22/1981
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/20/1979
  • Status: Expired
First Claim
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1. A method for detecting the presence of caries in the teeth of a person comprising:

  • (a) exciting a region of the teeth to be examined with a beam of light that is at least substantially monochromatic,(b) measuring the intensity of the visible luminescence emitted from the region at two predetermined wavelengths, one where the relative intensity dependence of the spectra is about the same for caries and non-decayed regions and the other where the intensity increases measurably in the presence of caries, and(c) determining if caries is present in accordance with said measurements.

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