METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTION OF DEFECTS IN TEETH

摘要

There is provided a metrologic methodology and instrument, useful for a high-spatial-resolution dynamic diagnostic metrology and instrument, which can provide simultaneous measurements of laser-induced frequency-domain infrared photothermal radiometry (FD-PTR) and alternating-current (ac) modulated luminescence (FD-LM) signals from defects and caries in teeth intraorally. The combination of the luminescence and radiometric frequency scan techniques for inspection of defects and caries in teeth involves irradiating the tooth with a modulated (direct-current (dc) to 100 kHz) excitation source (laser) emitting in the near-ultraviolet, visible, or near-infrared spectral range, generating blackbody Planck-radiation (infrared radiometry) and ac luminescence, and comparing the obtained (amplitude and phase) luminescence and radiometric signals to those obtained from a well characterized sample (reference) to provide the clinician with numerical information on the status of a tooth. The method and device is used to scan teeth intraorally to detect caries and classify caries or the integrity of the enamel or cementum surface, classify the health and integrity of the enamel at the base of occlusal fissures, classify the health and integrity of enamel or cementum surface of the tooth and defects around the margins of restorations, locate the presence of cracks on the enamel or cementum surface, and locate and characterize cracks in dentin on prepared teeth.