Compact mouth camera to find cavities and cracked teeth
Multimodal intraoral camera
['FUNDING_SBIR_2'] · LIGHT RESEARCH, INC. · NIH-11195597
A small handheld mouth camera that uses several light-based scans to help dentists spot cavities and cracked teeth earlier in children and adults.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_SBIR_2'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | LIGHT RESEARCH, INC. (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (TUCSON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11195597 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If I went for a checkup, the dentist could use a single compact camera that switches between four imaging modes to look at my teeth inside and out. The device combines polarized white light photos, tooth autofluorescence, near-infrared transillumination, and optical coherence tomography to show surface and internal tooth structure. Those different images are meant to give clearer, more quantitative information about decay and cracks than a regular visual exam or X-ray alone. The company plans to refine the device design and bring it into clinical use so dentists can monitor problems and treatment progress more precisely.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people (children or adults) with tooth pain, visible spots or cracks, or anyone coming in for a dental exam where early detection of decay or cracks is a concern.
Not a fit: People without natural teeth (fully edentulous) or those whose teeth are completely covered by large metal restorations that block imaging may not benefit from this device.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This could let dentists find and monitor cavities and cracked teeth sooner and more accurately, possibly avoiding bigger procedures and preserving more natural tooth structure.
How similar studies have performed: Individual imaging methods like autofluorescence, NIR transillumination, and OCT have shown promise for detecting decay and cracks, but combining all four modalities into one compact handheld device is a newer approach with limited prior testing.
Where this research is happening
TUCSON, UNITED STATES
- LIGHT RESEARCH, INC. — TUCSON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: WILDER-SMITH, PETRA E — LIGHT RESEARCH, INC.
- Study coordinator: WILDER-SMITH, PETRA E
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions: Cancer Detection