Patent ID: 6276933
Filing Date: 2001-08-21
Classification: A61C

Abstract:
A dental translucency analyzer for measuring the translucency parameter of an anterior tooth, such dental translucency analyzer comprising:a) a body that is made as a handpiece with a distal tip, wherein:said tip has a U-shape holder on its end comprising a bottom and two sides;b) a plurality of channels that illuminate said holder and detect a light passed through said holder, each said channel works in a controlled manner and includes:a light source;an illuminating optical fiber that is illuminated by said light source from its proximal input end, a distal output end of said fiber is placed in one side of said holder;a receiving optical fiber collecting a light that passes through said holder; a proximal input end of said fiber is coaxial with said distal end of said illuminating fiber and is located in the opposite side of said holder;a photodetector that is coupled to a distal output end of said receiving fiber;d) means for processing signals from said photodetectors to calculate a translucency factor wherein said means for processing includes a plurality of amplifiers, an analog-to-digital converter, a microcontroller and an activating switch;e) a display for displaying a message indicative of said calculated translucency factor;f) means for powering components indicative thereof, wherein this means is placed inside of said body.