Patent ID: 8187002
Filing Date: 2012-05-29
Classification: A61B,A61C

Abstract:
1. A method for cleaning an oral cavity, said method comprising: a. positioning within said oral cavity a device suitable for detecting and removing plaque from a surface of at least one tooth of said oral cavity, said device comprising a source for emitting light, b. substantially simultaneously cleaning and irradiating said surface of at least one tooth in said oral cavity, said at least one tooth having applied thereto a fluorescent agent capable of binding to plaque on said at least one tooth, with said light of a wavelength effective to provide a fluorescent emission when contacted with said fluorescent agent on said at least one tooth, c. collecting at least a portion of said fluorescent emission over a predetermined first time period, d. determining an average plaque value (APV) based on said fluorescent emission collected over said predetermined first time period, e. comparing said APV to a predetermined plaque value (PPV), f. continuing to substantially simultaneously clean and irradiate said at least one tooth for a predetermined second time period, wherein reflected light resulting from contact of said light with said surface is collected essentially simultaneously with said fluorescent emission and said average plague value is a compensated average plague value.