Root caries incidence increases with age as the gums recede. As the number of older people increases, it is anticipated that root caries will become more prevalent. Conventional methods using a sharp explorer can damage the healthy root surface which is much softer than enamel. X-rays cannot detect early root caries. This research will develop a diagnostic instrument for the early detection of root caries when intervention may halt or possibly reverse the carious process. It was shown that ultrasonic imaging can distinguish artificial lesions in dentin at the very beginning of attack. In Phase I, a laboratory instrument will be constructed to investigate the genesis of artificial lesions resembling root caries and possible intervention techniques. The equipment will be used in Phase II, where we will develop a clinical instrument. The important aspect of Phase II will be the design and fabrication of an ultrasonic probe that can be used in the mouth to image the carious root lesion.Awardee's statement of the potential commercial applications of the research:This instrument has a readily available market as a laboratory instrument to monitor the caries-like lesions and intervening techniques. It is our intent to manufacture and market this as a laboratory instrument. With the augmentation of an intraoral transducer in Phase II, we would expand the market into dental clinics and hospitals.National Institute of Dental Research (NIDR)
