Handpiece for caries detection

• US 7,270,543 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2004
• Issued: 09/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Therametric Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Therametric Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Ando, Masatoshi, Stookey, George Kenneth, Dunipace, Kenneth Robert, Blackwell, Bryan Ellis
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson; John J
• Application Number:
  US10/879,407
• Publication Number:
  US 20050287490A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,176 Days
• Field of Search: 433 29- 31, 433/80, 433/215
• US Class Current: 433/215
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/042 characterised by a proximal camera, e.g. a CCD camera
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/247 with means for viewing areas outside the direct line of sight, e.g. dentists' mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0088 for oral or dental tissue

Abstract

A dental implement is provided including a housing, a light source, a light detecting device, and a translucent member.

Claims

1. A method of detecting dental demineralization including the steps of:

providing a handpiece including a light source, a light receiver, and a light conduit;

abutting the light conduit to a crown of a selected tooth; and

providing a stream of air via the handpiece to the tissue, the abutting step including positioning the light conduit in a first position abutting the tooth before the air providing step and further including the step of positioning the light conduit after the air providing step to substantially match the first position of the light conduit.

2. The method of claim 1, further including comparing an image received from the handpiece after the air providing step to a previously received image taken before the air providing step.