METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR THE DETECTION OF DENTAL CARIES

摘要

An apparatus for the electronic detection of dental caries comprises at leastone probe electrode (10) placed in electrical contact withthe surface of a patient's tooth, and a second electrode (12) placed inelectrical contact with another part of the body of the patient; analternating electrical current is passed between the probe (10) and the secondelectrode (12). The frequency of the alternating current isvaried over a predetermined frequency range and the electrical impedancebetween the electrodes (10, 12) is measured for a number offrequency values within the range. A variety of probe designs to suitdifferent types of teeth and different tooth surfaces generally comprisean insulating substrate (120) of hydrophobic material, such as Goretex, andone or more electrodes (122), preferably of a conductive,hydrophobic material such as carbon-impregnated Goretex.