Innovative laser device will replace dental X-rays

Specialists of St. Petersburg State Electrotechnical University "LETI" have developed an innovative device for fast and safe diagnosis of caries. The device, which has no analogues in Russia, uses semiconductor lasers instead of X-rays. This allows you to perform dental examinations right in the dental chair.

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According to Andrey Ukhov, Professor of the Department of Electronic Devices and Devices at LETI, the device is absolutely safe and can be used for patients of all categories without restrictions.

"In addition, the device is easy to operate, has small dimensions and weight," he told Izvestia.

Caries is one of the most common diseases of the oral cavity, and its timely detection plays a key role in successful treatment, experts said. Traditional diagnostic methods, including X-rays, are not always available. The device created at LETI can become a mass alternative, allowing dentists to see hidden carious lesions that are not noticeable during a routine examination.

At the initial stage of the research, scientists selected the optimal parameters of laser radiation (with wavelengths of ~ 400 and ~650 nanometers), which causes fluorescence in teeth. Then a prototype device was created that transmits data to a computer, where special software interprets the information received, allowing you to accurately determine the degree of damage.

Read more about the innovation in the exclusive Izvestia article:

Sparks on teeth: a unique laser will quickly and safely detect diseases of the oral cavity