Fill ‘er up

 

New monitoring technique could spot tooth decay immediately.

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A chemical engineer has found a new way to spot tooth decay almost as soon as it begins.
 
Based on Raman spectroscopy (which is used to spot different chemicals) the technique identifies decay via an optical fibre.
 
As changes occur in a tooth during decay, the bacteria spread light in a different way to a healthy when fired at by laser light.
 
As currently methods, such as visual examination and x-ray, only show damage after it has progressed significantly, this new technique should allow for earlier – and therefore cheaper, more effective and less painless – treatment.
 
Speaking about the technique, Frances Downey, a PhD student working on the project at King’s College London, commented: “The earlier you spot decay the better as you can remineralise the area so there is no cavitation and therefore no need for a filling.’
 
The technique is expected to be ready for commercial use within the next five years.

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