Method and apparatus for early caries detection

An imaging device configured to detect one or more caries, the device comprising:

• an optical sensor;
• a first light source configured to direct light toward a tooth such that the optical sensor measures transmission of light from the first light source through the tooth;
• a second light source configured to direct light toward the tooth such that the optical sensor measures reflectance from the tooth of light from the second light source;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• (i) obtain a transmission value for a pixel of the transmission at a first position, and obtain a reflection value for a pixel of the reflectance at the first position;
• (ii) compare the transmission value to the reflectance value and obtain a comparison value for a location of the tooth;
• and (iii) determine, based on the comparison value, whether a caries is present in the tooth.

An imaging system configured to provide a user with information about one or more caries, the system comprising:

• an imaging device comprising:
• (i) an optical sensor;
• (ii) a first light source configured to direct light toward a tooth such that the optical sensor measures transmission of light from the first light source through the tooth;
• (iii) a second light source configured to direct light toward the tooth such that the optical sensor measures reflectance from the tooth of light from the second light source;
• (iv) a controller configured to obtain a transmission value for a pixel of the transmission at a first position and obtain a reflection value for a pixel of the reflectance at the first position, compare the transmission value to the reflectance value, obtain a comparison value for a location of the tooth, and determine, based on the comparison value, whether a caries is present in the tooth;
• and (v) a connectivity module configured to communicate the determination;
• and
• a user interface device comprising:
• (i) a connectivity module configured to receive the communicated determination;
• and (ii) a user interface configured to provide the determination of whether a caries is present in the tooth to the user.