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Apparatus and method for measuring the color of teeth

  • US 5,851,113 A
  • Filed: 08/12/1997
  • Issued: 12/22/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/02/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method, comprising the steps of:

  • positioning a probe in proximity to a dental object, wherein the probe provides light to a surface of the dental object from one or more light sources, and receives light from the dental object through a plurality of light receivers, wherein light from the light receivers is coupled to one or more optical sensors;

    taking a plurality of measurements with the one or more optical sensors; and

    determining at least a peak intensity of received light based on the measurements as the probe is a distance away from the surface of the dental object, and determining at least an intensity of light as the probe is at or about the surface of the dental object, wherein translucence data and color data are generated based on at least the peak intensity and the intensity.

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