 |
|
Seeing through tooth decay
August 25, 2008X-ray spectral analysis reveals early-stage dental caries
Dental caries afflict at least 90% of the world's population at some time in their lives. Detecting the first signs of this disease, which can be lethal in extreme cases, just got easier thanks to work by researchers in India discussed in the latest issue of the International Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology.
R. Siva Kumar of the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, at RMK Engineering College, in Tamil Nadu, explains that dental caries, known colloquially as tooth decay or dental cavities, is an infectious disease which damages the structures of teeth. The disease causes toothache, tooth loss, infection of the jawbone and beyond, and in severe cases, death.
Caries are caused by acid-producing bacteria that feed on fermentable carbohydrates including sucrose, fruit sugars, and glucose. The higher level of acidity in the mouth due to this bacterial activity effectively dissolves the mineral content of the tooth. In the USA, dental caries is the most common chronic childhood disease, being at least five times more common than asthma. It is the primary cause of tooth loss in children, while between a third and two thirds of people over 50 years experience caries too.
There are two types of dental caries, those that form on the smooth surfaces of the teeth and those in the pits and fissures. The latter are difficult to detect visually or manually with a dental explorer. Detecting caries in the early stages of development is important for saving affected teeth and avoiding the possibility of tooth loss and invasive surgery at later stages. Siva Kumar suggests that X-rays of a patient's teeth analyzed by specialist software could help.
The researchers at RMK engineering college have now developed an X-ray image analysis technique that reveals the pixel intensities at different X-ray wavelengths, much like the histogram analysis of images by a high-specification digital camera. Siva Kumar explains that the software reveals that the X-ray histogram and spectrum are very different depending on whether the teeth X-rayed are normal or exhibiting the early stages of decay. The researchers found that in the X-ray histogram the pixel intensities are concentrated in different ranges depending on degree of decay.
The technique could be very useful for dental clinicians, the researchers explain, and could be extended using neural networks to automatically identify the different stages of dental caries.
Inderscience Publishers
Caries are caused by acid-producing bacteria that feed on fermentable carbohydrates including sucrose, fruit sugars, and glucose. The higher level of acidity in the mouth due to this bacterial activity effectively dissolves the mineral content of the tooth. In the USA, dental caries is the most common chronic childhood disease, being at least five times more common than asthma. It is the primary cause of tooth loss in children, while between a third and two thirds of people over 50 years experience caries too.
There are two types of dental caries, those that form on the smooth surfaces of the teeth and those in the pits and fissures. The latter are difficult to detect visually or manually with a dental explorer. Detecting caries in the early stages of development is important for saving affected teeth and avoiding the possibility of tooth loss and invasive surgery at later stages. Siva Kumar suggests that X-rays of a patient's teeth analyzed by specialist software could help.
The researchers at RMK engineering college have now developed an X-ray image analysis technique that reveals the pixel intensities at different X-ray wavelengths, much like the histogram analysis of images by a high-specification digital camera. Siva Kumar explains that the software reveals that the X-ray histogram and spectrum are very different depending on whether the teeth X-rayed are normal or exhibiting the early stages of decay. The researchers found that in the X-ray histogram the pixel intensities are concentrated in different ranges depending on degree of decay.
The technique could be very useful for dental clinicians, the researchers explain, and could be extended using neural networks to automatically identify the different stages of dental caries.
Inderscience Publishers
Tooth Decay Current Events and Tooth Decay News RSSHybrid composite for root canal treatment
Unrelenting toothache means a visit to the dentist is inevitable, and if the tooth decay is really bad root canal treatment is often the only option.
Open wide and say 'zap'
A group of researchers in Australia and Taiwan has developed a new way to analyze the health of human teeth using lasers.
AADR releases its statement on oral health care within health care reform
On July 14, the American Association for Dental Research released its policy statement titled "Oral Health Care within Health Care Reform," which focuses on the scientific base of oral health and its associations to other aspects of health.
Dry Mouth Linked to Prescription and Over the Counter Drugs
Approximately ninety-one percent of dentists say patients complaining about dry mouth are taking multiple medications, according to a nationwide member survey conducted by the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).
Diets bad for the teeth are also bad for the body
Dental disease may be a wake-up call that your diet is harming your body.
Sugar substitute appears to prevent early-childhood cavities
Children given an oral syrup containing the naturally occurring sweetener xylitol may be less likely to develop decay in their baby teeth.
OJ Worse for Teeth than Whitening, Says Eastman Institute for Oral Health Researchers
With the increasing popularity of whitening one's teeth, researchers at the Eastman Institute for Oral Health, part of the University of Rochester Medical Center, set out to learn if there are negative effects on the tooth from using whitening products.
Structural biology scores with protein snapshot
In a landmark technical achievement, investigators in the Vanderbilt Center for Structural Biology have used nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods to determine the structure of the largest membrane-spanning protein to date.
Newly discovered reactions from an old drug may lead to new antibiotics
A mineral found at health food stores could be the key to developing a new line of antibiotics for bacteria that commonly cause diarrhea, tooth decay and, in some severe cases, death.
Black girls are 50 percent more likely to be bulimic than white girls
An important new study challenges the widespread perception that bulimia primarily affects privileged, white teenagers such as "Gossip Girl" character Blair Waldorf, who battled bulimia on the show earlier this season.
More Tooth Decay Current Events and Tooth Decay News Articles
 |
Cure Tooth Decay: Heal and Prevent Cavities with Nutrition (First Edition) by Ramiel Nagel (Author), D.D.S. Timothy Gallagher (Foreword) There is a holistic alternative to conventional dental treatments which can help you heal tooth pain, reduce tooth infections, halt tooth decay and inhibit gum disease. Learn about a flexible whole foods dietary program pioneered by the head of research at the National Dental Association, Weston Price D.D.S. that proved 90-95% effective in halting cavities. Cure Tooth Decay provides clear and easy to understand dental facts so you can make healthy, life affirming choices about your dental health, including a non-surgical approach to halt baby-bottle tooth decay. Learn five nutritional programs that Nagel used to cure his own cavities, and halt his daughter's severe cavities. Restore dental and oral health through nutrition and lifestyle, not harmful chemicals and surgery. Dr. Gallagher... |
 |
Dc Shoes Tooth Decay Pullover Hoodie - Black X Med by DC SHOES Online Exclusive! DC Shoes logos imprinted across chest with hounds tooth detailing. Vertical white decaying stripes. Kangaroo pouch, drawstring hood. Ribbed hem and cuffs. |
 |
Dentazyne Complete Oral Health Stop Tooth Decay & Bleeding Gums 60 Count by MicroNutra Dentazyne Tasty chewable tablet for adults and children, all-natural Dentazyne delivers a targeted blend of clinically proven probiotics to promote healthy teeth and gums. The difference is in the dentist visit! Leading Probiotic Delivery System for Optimal Oral Health Support Cleaner Teeth in 30 Seconds! Ideal for Deep Clean after Snacking or Brushing Best Tasting - Kids Always Ask for the Dentazyne Treat for Teeth! Dentazyne is a healthy lifestyle to help you and your family maintain a naturally bright smile for life. |
 |
The Shrunks 12" Ududoll Mr. Tooth Decay by The Shrunks |
 |
Hello Reader: Make Your Way For Tooth Decay (Level 3) by Bobbi Katz (Author), Steve Bjorkman (Illustrator) In this witty, easy-to-read story, children learn what bacteria is, how it causes tooth decay, and how they can fight against it. Told from the point of view of the bacteria, this fact-filled, rhyming text shows dentists in a friendly way, helping youngsters guard against tooth decay. |
 |
1960 Vintage Ad Colgate-Palmolive Company Colgate Fight tooth decay with Colgate by YesterAds.com Print ads make great gifts. Frame them to make them uniquely yours. This ad will be shipped flat with a white acid free backing board sealed in a protective plastic sleeve. Package also contains a certificate of authentication. |
 |
PetAlive Gumz-n-Teeth for Healthy Pet Gums and Teeth (60 Caps) by PetAlive Gumz-n-Teeth is a 100% safe and natural combination of herbal and homeopathic ingredients in an internal formula for preventing gingivitis (gum disease) and tooth decay as well as improving general dental health in pets. PetAlive Gumz-n-Teeth prevents gingivitis and promotes healthy teeth and gums while strengthening the immune system and bones and teeth and prevents decay and gum disease. |
![Blossom & Decay [CD on Demand]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51RHdJcKPjL._SL160_.jpg) |
Blossom & Decay [CD on Demand] by Black Tooth Grin Blossom & Decay by Black Tooth Grin This product is manufactured on demand using CD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply. |
 |
Baby Buddy: Baby's 1st Toothbrush by None 4 months & up. Good oral hygiene begins at birth! Pediatric dentists recommend cleaning an infants gums - even before the first tooth appears - with a soft infant toothbrush and water. Properly cleaning teeth and gums helps remove sugars and bacteria that can lead to future decay. Toothbrush is clear in color |
![Tooth Decay [Explicit]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61hCgnKnWLL._SL160_.jpg) |
Tooth Decay [Explicit] Damn Handsome and the Birthday Suits (Primary Contributor) |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |