I saw this article in today's Toronto Star about cavity detection without x-rays. It initially sounded similar to Diagnodent, which has issues detecting caries (cavities) in between teeth. I'm still waiting for more details before I form an opinion. Here's the teaser quote:
Once a cavity has formed and exposed itself on the surface, it's too late – it has to be cleaned out and filled.
Abrams says the industry needs to take a more preventative approach, and this is where Quantum Dental enters the scene. The company's research team, based out of the University of Toronto, has developed a prototype of a laser device that uses heat and light waves to detect tiny, below-surface lesions in teeth without exposing a patient to potentially harmful radiation.
A commercial prototype is scheduled to be launched next summer and, after a year of clinical testing, the company hopes to begin selling the device in the fall of 2009.
Dentists will still need x-rays to look at jawbone structure, but Abrams believes Quantum's device has the potential to be a fixture in every dentist's office. The absence of radiation means it can be a standard offering whenever someone gets in the dentist's chair, improving the chance of catching early-stage tooth decay before it becomes a bigger problem.
Read the rest of the article here:A Quantum leap for treating tooth decay
Source: A Quantum leap for treating tooth decay, July 2, Toronto Star, Business Section B, pg 1.
Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100
