Detecting Dental Decay with Infrared Light

Despite considerable progress in treatment, dental caries—tooth decay—remains the most prevalent chronic disease in both children and adults. Dentists commonly use visual and tactile means (for example, dental probes), coupled with radiography (dental X-rays), to identify caries lesions, or cavities. The widespread use of fluoride has meant that lesions commonly crop up where fluoride doesn’t easily penetrate—typically in the pits and fissures of the crowns of posterior teeth (occlusal lesions), or at the contact points in-between teeth (interproximal lesions). That makes them difficult to detect by conventional means. Lesions also congregate near dental root surfaces, and constitute an increasing problem in an aging population.