DENTALDIAGNOSEINNRETNING OG ANVENDELSE DERAV.

摘要

An apparatus for use in dental diagnosis of a root canal and of periodontal pockets is provided. The apparatus comprises a device for absorbing fluids in the oral cavity and a handle for carrying the device to the oral cavity without contaminating the device by touching it with the fingers. The device of the invention comprises an absorbent material (26), adapted to be inserted into a root canal or a periodontal pocket, which has a substrate absorbed thereon which reacts with enzymes which are indicative of disease in the oral cavity. A detectable change in fluorescence or color in the substrate indicates the presence of the enzymes. A method of using the device of the invention to detect the presence of bacteria or disease in the oral cavity is also provided.