Multimodal intraoral camera to help detect tooth decay and cracks
Official title: Multimodal intraoral camera
Funded at Light Research, INC. · NIH-11395662 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A compact imaging tool for dental clinics aims to better detect caries and cracked teeth by using four imaging methods in one device.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Light Research, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $477,217 |
| NIH project number | 5R44DE033307-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11395662 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults and children with suspected dental caries or cracked teeth who visit dental clinics.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without dental caries or cracks or those not undergoing optical imaging-based assessment may not benefit.
What this research studies
If you have dental caries or a cracked tooth, this project hopes to give clinicians a more precise and earlier diagnosis by combining polarized white light, autofluorescence, optical coherence tomography, and near-infrared transillumination in one small camera. The goal is to provide clearer information about tooth structure so dentists can monitor progress and tailor treatments. The project will develop and move toward commercialization of this multimodal device so clinics can adopt it in everyday care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive faster, more accurate diagnoses of tooth decay and cracks, leading to earlier and more targeted treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Previous imaging methods alone have limitations; combining modalities is a promising but not yet proven approach for improved diagnosis.
Where this research is happening
-
Light Research, INC.
Tucson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wilder-Smith, Petra E — Light Research, INC.
- Study coordinator: Wilder-Smith, Petra E
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Compact mouth camera to find cavities and cracked teeth
A small handheld mouth camera that uses several light-based scans to help dentists spot cavities and cracked teeth earlier in children and adults.
-
Developing a mobile system for early detection and treatment of oral cancer
This study is working on a mobile system to help find and treat oral cancer early, especially for people in areas with fewer resources, so they can get better care and improve their chances of recovery.
-
A new camera for better detection of dental issues.
This study is testing a new, small camera that uses different imaging techniques to help dentists find tooth decay and cracks more accurately, so patients can get better diagnoses and personalized treatment plans for their dental health.
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.