A Boston-based firm that performed the world’s first absolutely automated dental process utilizing a robotic system has introduced one other breakthrough.

Perceptive mentioned Tuesday it has accomplished an early feasibility examine of the world’s first in-vivo 3D intraoral Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) dental imaging system, in collaboration with PDS Well being, a medical assist group with greater than 1,000 places of work throughout the US.

OCT, first launched in 1991, is a non-invasive imaging expertise that makes use of gentle waves to take cross-sectional photos of tissues. It’s utilized in fields akin to ophthalmology, otorhinolaryngology, and dentistry.

In the course of the examine at PDS Well being, Perceptive’s OCT system detected points akin to recurrent caries, voids, and cracks extending into the dentin, the place conventional X-rays and exams couldn’t decide the reason for signs like tooth sensitivity. The superior diagnostic functionality, mixed with 3D visuals, helped enhance affected person prognosis and elevated therapy acceptance by enabling sufferers to raised perceive their situation and the necessity for intervention.

3 times the accuracy of X-rays

Following the examine, Perceptive reported that the system demonstrated over 90 per cent sensitivity to dental pathology—3 times the accuracy of conventional X-rays—and is anticipated to set a brand new normal in dental diagnostics, with out the dangers related to ionizing radiation.

“This expertise helped us diagnose points in sufferers with signs that couldn’t be recognized utilizing typical strategies,” mentioned Karim Zaklama, DDS, a common dentist and lead investigator within the examine. “Each my sufferers and I felt reassured understanding that we may pinpoint the issues and deal with them earlier than they worsened.”

“The system wasn’t affected by moisture or condensation and allowed me to see deeper layers of the tooth with exceptional readability.”

Research have proven {that a} vital proportion of sufferers decline really helpful therapies, which impacts each their oral and total well being. Many dental situations are asymptomatic and never simply detected with low-sensitivity X-rays, resulting in potential misdiagnoses or conflicting diagnoses, and an absence of affected person belief.

Supported by a Nationwide Institutes of Well being grant, Perceptive’s intraoral OCT imaging system continues to be underneath growth.