DE3929278A1 - Dental examination equipment, visualising and recording - uses fibre=optic cable for imaging and illumination and supplying personal computer and/or printer - Google Patents

Abstract

The dental equipment calculates indices for parodontitis, gingivitis and incidence of plaque. An upper and lower jaw camera covers an imaging angle of 90 to 110 deg. as well as a fixed viewing direction of 45 minutes. The plaque index is calculated and expressed in a standardised form and schematic prototype. A standardised and schematic status formulation is given for number and condition of teeth (position and state of fillings, crowns, bridges, teeth necks, exposed root parts, fissures etc.), gingiva and parostatus. Observation can be made by a v.d.u. of the PC for mouth cavity, bite as well as focussing onto separate teeth. A synthesised image can be stored on a diskette for documentation. ADVANTAGE - Systematic and comprehensive.

Description

The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for dental visualization and assessment as well as for Indices calculation for periodontitis, gingivitis and plaque infestation.

Usually the dentist works after diagnosing one periodontal disease a finding that is a snapshot describes the current state. The forecast made thereupon has always about the development of periodontitis or gingivitis only provisional. Because the response of the periodontal Tissue on mechanical-therapeutic interventions as well as the Require intensity of patient collaboration - both during treatment as well as during maintenance therapy - repeated reassessments, d. H. further findings and thus a modification of the original forecast.

This requires a special paro status, supplemented by regular records of hygiene and gingiva indices. These mandatory examinations must be systematic carried out and the findings tooth for tooth in clear manner (written, radiological, pictorial) be held.

There are already several to simplify such operations Systems available. For example, one of these systems exists from a video camera, a video processor and one pulsating 300 watt xenon light source and a monitor. A The handpiece inserted into the patient's mouth is 170 mm long  and includes a color video camera with auto focus; the mouth becomes illuminated by rapid flashes. The pictures appear magnified ten times on the monitor and make the tooth condition - not the entire dentition in one picture - and the tooth pockets or their depth is recognizable.

The following storage options are available: dynamic Real time recording on video cassette, video still as Instant Polaroid or digitized video frame recording on disk.

Disadvantage:

• - You can only take pictures of two teeth that be covered by the lens;
• - is therefore a single assessment of the entire dentition not possible, a total recording consists of several Pictures together;
• - The diagnosis and evaluation is still the doctor leave;
• - the handpiece is unwieldy;
• - the flashing of the troboscope disturbs the attending doctor or the helper.

Another known system provides a three-dimensional one (more correctly: three-sided) image of the tooth preparation. With this "Optical impression" is the inlay directly on the computer Screen constructed; a computer controlled grinding machine immediately produces a ceramic filling. A Status determination is not possible and not wanted.

Disadvantage:

• - The system can not create shapes that are under each other block out walking places;
• - The lack of dimensional or fitting accuracy must be done using adhesive be balanced, problems: warm-cold behavior, Long-term resistance; through polymerization is the glue not constant in volume, d. H. it shrinks, resulting in voids, Demolition and tooth decay;
• - Only fillings for the cheek (molars) and Pre-jaw teeth (premolars) are made, but not for the front teeth;
• - The reflection due to moisture is caused by Sprinkling a metal powder damped, resulting in an inaccurate Recording leads;
• - The surface (relief) of the tooth must be reproduced manually;
• - The movement of the jaws can not be taken into account;
• - cannot be used for crowning;
• - Ceramic fillings must have a certain thickness, i. H. remove more tooth substance (when using gold there is no excessive loss of tooth structure).

Knowing this state of the art, an improved Device and a corresponding method for dental Visualization and assessment are created.

The visualization device according to the invention, Finding findings and calculating indices for periodontitis, Gingivitis and plaque infestation have the following components:

• 1) an upper and lower jaw camera with an angle of view of 90 ° up to 110 ° and a fixed viewing direction of 45 ′ ′;
• 2) Optical fiber cables for image and light transmission;
• 3) lighting;
• 4) Personal computer and / or printer.

The camera either provides the information to print out the Plaque index and the plaque infestation per tooth on one schematic representation or a television picture on a Personal computer. The camera is anatomical Reference point aligned, which is an absolute and multiple Reproducibility of the dentition, the oral cavity and individual Ensures teeth.

The camera can also be equipped with various auxiliary optics be equipped, which enable that

• - considered the root canal;
• - measured the pocket depth;
• - The heights of the occlusal surfaces can be measured.

The device supports the dentist by:

• - educates the patient visually about the condition of his teeth;
• - Provides images of the teeth or teeth for the findings;
• - describes a paro or gingiva status;
• - Indices calculated from plaque infestation, papillary bleeding, about gingivitis and periodontitis.

The device is useful for the dentist

• - The clear definition by unambiguously recording the State and calculation of the indices;  
• - the elimination of differences due to non-standardized Examination methods;
• - The distribution of plaque shown in the oral cavity, d. H. displaying a plaque or cleaning pattern per patient and not just determining the average Plaque infestations;
• - the objectification of treatment success or failure for the doctor and the patient through repeated, standardized Recording of the status and calculation of the indices during the course a prophylaxis or therapy program;
• - objective and reproducible visualization and Documentation of changes in the sense of improvements that help a patient get the essential motivation procure;
• - the practical applicability by auxiliary staff;
• - statistical evaluability.

The following performance levels are provided according to the invention:

1st stage:
Calculate and print out the plaque index in a standardized form and schematic template;

2nd stage:

Standardized and schematic status creation with statements about the number and condition of the teeth (location and Condition of fillings, crowns, bridges, tooth necks, exposed root parts, pockets, cracks, protruding Crown margins, etc.); Gingiva and Paro status;

3rd stage:
TV viewing of the oral cavity and dentition or focusing individual teeth on a PC screen;
Synthesis of this image for repeatable documentation and storage of the image on diskette or other storage;
Visibility of fillings, bridges, crowns, edges, protruding edges, cracks, tooth necks, exposed root parts, discoloration and pockets, polymerisation, cavities, tears, caries;

4th stage:
Root canal observation and measurement possibility for edge and pocket depth;

5th stage:
Height measurement of the occlusal surfaces;

6th stage:
Treatment of the tooth is carried out via the view on the screen.

Claims (2)

1. Device for dental visualization, recording of findings as well as index calculation for periodontitis, gingivitis and Plaque infestation with an upper and lower jaw camera Angle of view from 90 ° to 110 ° and a permanently installed Viewing direction of 45 ′ ′, optical fiber cables for picture and Light transmission, lighting, personal computer and / or Printer. 2. Method for visualizing and recording findings and for calculating indices for periodontitis, gingivitis and plaque infestation using the device according to claim 1 with the following method steps:

• 1. Calculate and print out the plaque index in a standardized form and schematic template;
• 2. standardized and schematic status creation with statements about the number and condition of the teeth (location and condition of fillings, crowns, bridges, tooth necks, exposed root parts, pockets, cracks, protruding crown edges, etc.); Gingiva and Paro status;
• 3. TV viewing of the oral cavity and dentition or focusing individual teeth on a PC screen;
  Synthesis of this image for repeatable documentation and storage of the image on diskette or other storage;
  Visibility of fillings, bridges, crowns, edges, protruding edges, cracks, tooth necks, exposed root parts, discoloration and pockets, polymerisation, cavities, tears, caries;
• 4. Root canal observation and measurement possibility for edge and pocket depth;
• 5. Height measurement of the occlusal surfaces;
• 6. Treatment of the tooth is carried out via the view on the screen.