Method and apparatus for electronically imaging a tooth through transillumination by light
US6201880A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 31, 1996 |
| Grant date | Mar 13, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 31, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61C19/04
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for imaging teeth includes illuminating a surface of a tooth and electronically imaging the tooth from a non-illuminated surface of the tooth with an electronic camera. Automatic control of the intensity of illumination is preferably provided to avoid saturation of the camera. The camera may include a charge-coupled-device and the resulting digital images are preferably enhanced by wavelet analysis. If a video camera is used, the images may be digitized and then enhanced. Current images of the tooth may be compared to prior images of the same tooth to monitor changes in the tooth over time. The images can be used to detect dental caries and other dental conditions. A handpiece for illuminating the tooth and receiving the light passing through the tooth for reception by the camera in a reproducible manner, is also described.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.