System for caries management by risk assessment
The invention provides the tools needed for a dental patient's caries risk assessment. Included is a complete turnkey system for caries risk assessment and treatment, including an ATP test and a plurality of rinses and educational and diagnostic materials. The system for the detection and treatment of the bacterial infection that causes dental caries in a patient comprises a disposable ATP Bioluminescence sampler to swab areas of the patient's mouth, a bioluminescent light meter which measures the amount of ATP present in the patient's mouth, a rapid culture test for the detection of Mutans streptococci and lactobacilli , a diagnostic testing component that includes a caries risk assessment questionnaire, a treatment component that includes a short term therapeutic oral rinse of at least two components, and a long term maintenance rinse.
1. A kit for caries risk assessment and treatment including
a sampling and screening testing device comprising
a disposable swab enclosed in a tube, said swab connected to a container device holding a reagent that reacts with a sample of a biofilm collected from a patient's mouth using the swab,
said device being manually actuated to release the reagent upon collecting said sample, and
a light meter for detecting bioluminescence that is adapted to receive the swab after using the swab to obtain the sample and provide a reading indicating caries risk,
a decision tree chart for assessment by a dental professional of the answers to the patient diagnostic survey questionnaire, and
a therapeutic agent for treating or preventing caries.
2. The kit of claim 1 where the therapeutic agent includes an anti-cavity remineralization agent and an antimicrobial agent.
3. The kit of claim 1 including a culture test for Mutans streptococci and Lactobacilli.
4. A kit for caries risk assessment and treatment including
a sampling and screening testing device comprising
a disposable swab enclosed in a tube, said swab connected to a container device holding a reagent that reacts with a sample of a biofilm collected from a patient's mouth using the swab,
said device being manually actuated to release the reagent upon collecting said sample, and
a light meter for detecting bioluminescence that is adapted to receive the swab after using the swab to obtain the sample and provide a reading indicating caries risk,
a decision tree chart for assessment by a dental professional of the answers to the patient diagnostic survey questionnaire,
a therapeutic agent for treating or preventing caries comprising an anti-cavity remineralization agent, and
an antimicrobial agent, and a culture test for Mutans streptococci and Lactobacilli.