METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE NON-INVASIVE EXAMINATION OF THE TOOTH-JAW STRUCTURE OF A PATIENT TO DETERMINE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF UNERUPTED TEETH AND TO CONTROL NUTRITIONAL INTAKE PURSUANT THERETO

摘要

Apparatus for the measurement and analysis of tooth-jaw structures comprising a source of illumination, an optodetector and an integral linear displacement transducer. The source of illumination is used to transilluminate tooth-jaw structures while the optodetector receives light which has transilluminated the tooth-jaw structure. The linear displacement transducer provides a fast, accurate and precise size, distance and spatial measurement of structures comprising the tooth-jaw milieu. The system is particularly adapted for the intraoral examination, measurement and analysis of unerupted teeth and their interdental spaces to detect a nutritional status that may exist which would impede the development of tooth-jaw concordance. A reiterative computer controlled process is employed to monitor and control preventive or remedial nutrition.