Caries

History

2024: Russia has developed and began to use the method of rapid diagnosis of early tooth decay

On May 15, 2024, Russian specialists from the Volga Research Medical University (PIMU) announced the development of a method for express diagnostics of the early stage of tooth decay. The new technology is said to have a number of advantages over existing solutions.

It is noted that at first caries manifests itself weakly, which often leads to neglect of the pathological process and belated treatment. This can significantly increase patient costs and provoke various problems - up to long-term therapy. Most often, dentists diagnose hard tooth tissues by X-ray, but the degree of enamel damage and the severity of demineralization with this method is not always noticeable to the doctor. In addition, the use of X-rays creates an additional radiation burden on the patient. In addition, this method has contraindications.

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An alternative technology was developed by scientists from the Research Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies of PIMU. They propose to diagnose caries using high-resolution optical coherence tomography (OKTAS). This method, due to its speed and painlessness, is widely used in ophthalmology to assess the retina.

The device using the proposed technology was developed at the Institute of Applied Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Device makes it possible to distinguish initial forms of caries from dental plaque by coefficient of attenuation of OKTAS signal. In addition, it is possible to clearly determine the boundary of carious lesion, which cannot be done by other known methods. In the future, PIMU specialists intend to improve their methodology. In particular, as stated in the official statement, they plan to implement functions that allow determining the stage of tooth decay by OKTAs.^[1]

2023: A device for the treatment of tooth decay with the preservation of tooth tissue has been developed in Russia

Scientists from Sechenov University have developed a pulp detection device that will avoid damage to the inside of the tooth. The press service announced this on July 10, 2023.

The new technology, according to its creators, will help doctors accurately determine the distance to the pulp - the central part of the tooth permeated with nerves and blood vessels. This will allow dentists in the treatment of tooth decay to work only with the outer layers of the tooth - enamel and dentin.

A device has been developed in Russia to treat tooth decay while preserving tooth tissue

In the treatment of caries, it is important to preserve the tooth tissue as much as possible and prevent opening of the pulp when removing the dentin affected by caries, however, modern methods for assessing the thickness of dentin are laborious and not accurate enough. They do not find widespread use in clinical practice, and the doctor has to rely mainly on his own experience. Excessive removal of dentin and opening of the tooth cavity can lead to infection of the pulp and the development of inflammation, in this case you have to remove the pulp and seal the root canals, which significantly increases the time and financial costs of treatment, - said a dental specialist at the Institute of Dentistry. E.V. Sechenovskogo Borovsky of the University Anna Turkina.

The new probe with a thickness of less than a millimeter uses an optical method of diffuse reflection spectroscopy, which allows you to assess the absorption and scattering of light. It is from these signs that you can find out where dentin ends and pulp begins. Scientists have successfully tested the probe on wisdom teeth removed from patients for medical reasons.

By July 2023, scientists are conducting clinical testing of the developed probe in dental interventions. In the future, the method can enter into wide clinical practice. The work was carried out as part of the Priority 2030 strategic academic leadership program^[2]

2022

Caries treatment system with no minimal pain entered the market

On October 18, 2022, Sonendo introduced the GentleWave G4 system, designed to treat tooth decay without minimal pain. Read more here.

A device is presented showing which teeth will show tooth decay

In early March 2022, the University of Washington presented a dental tool developed there that can measure the acidity created by bacteria in plaque, which leads to tooth decay. Read more here.

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