Detecting Tooth Decay Sooner

[Angel]

Imagine having an at-home test to tell you if you have high levels of cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth. Or, imagine a PDA-like device that can check your saliva for biomarkers.

Nationally recognized dental researchers presenting at the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Annual Session in Cincinnati say there are a number of new advances on the horizon that could give dentists more tools in the fight against tooth decay. A number of dentists across the country are already using a device called DIAGNOdent, according to Margherita Fontana, DDS, Ph.D. of Indiana University School of Dentistry in Indianapolis. "It's wonderful tool to allow us to see things that we couldn't see as clearly before with our naked eyes," she said.

DIAGNOdent uses an infrared light that the dentist shines over each tooth to search for signs of decay. "It will give you a reading and a little noise that is easy to see for you as the patient or for the dentist. The higher the number tells you that there are more bacteria in the mouth that can cause decay," said Fontana.

There are drawbacks, however. Since the device detects a variety of abnormalities, Fontana advises dentists to use it as an aid, not a replacement for X-rays and exploring tools.

Meanwhile, researchers developed a new test to detect high levels of cavity-causing bacteria. Wenyuan Shi, Ph.D., of the UCLA Schools of Dentistry and Medicine, says the low-cost test is already on the market in Japan and headed to European markets soon.

Similar to a color-coded pregnancy test, a special antibody was developed that can detect the levels of cavity-causing bacteria in saliva. "If you can intercept the disease at the bacteria level, you don't have to suffer tooth decay," said Shi.

The PDA-like device that is being developed is more costly. But, Shi says it will be able to read a number of biological markers like proteins, DNA and RNA in the saliva.