DEPTH TESTER FOR DENTAL CARIES LESIONS

¹ Center Moriches, N. Y.

An instrument has been constructed which affords a means of determining slight variations in the progress of dental caries. Its purpose is twofold: (1) To obtain reproducible measurements of the depth of carious cavities, thus determining the rate of progress of the disease; (2) to determine possible variations in the hardness of the decalcified dentin on the floors of carious cavities.

Its use should give determinative information on the effects of caries control procedures: (a) If beneficial, the depth of the cavity will increase more slowly than in controls at successive measurements; if the protection is complete, the depth of the cavity will remain the same. (b) If caries is arrested, light may be thrown on the following controversial question: Is the hard floor of cavities noted in arrested caries composed of previously decalcified dentin which has been recalcified by salivary salts or by other means, or has the previously decalcified dentin been eliminated by the force of mastication? In the former case, subsequent measurements should show a decrease in cavity depth; in the latter, an increase in cavity depth.