Newly Developed Dental Imaging System From Lantis Laser Provides Earlier, More Accurate, Radiation-Free Cavity Detection
DENVILLE, NJ, Jun 05, 2007 -- Lantis Laser, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: LLSR) (http://www.lantislaser.com), a New Jersey-based company specializing in the commercialization of advanced dental technology, believes it can help to stem the rising tide of tooth decay in young children with its newly developed Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) Dental Imaging System(TM).
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) recent report, "Trends in Oral Health Status - United States 1988-1994 and 1999-2004," tooth decay in the primary teeth of children aged 2-5 years increased from 24% to 28%, highlighting an incidence increase of 16% compared to the previous study.
"Overall, there has been a solid decline in tooth decay of school-age children," said American Dental Association (ADA) president Kathleen Roth, "but sadly, tooth decay in our youngest population -- kids aged 2-5 years -- has increased about 4 percent over the last 10 years. All of America should be concerned with this statistic."
Two reasons that contribute to this sobering trend are:
1. Traditional X-rays cannot show the early incidence of tooth decay.
2. Traditional X-rays on children are avoided due to concerns of radiation exposure.
According to Dr. Craig Gimbel, Clinical Director for Lantis, "Dentistry has long needed a more accurate, safer way of detecting early tooth decay in young children. Lantis Laser has the exclusive worldwide rights to a breakthrough imaging technology that will finally meet this need."
For example, traditional x-rays are not able to detect decay in the recessed pits and irregular grooves of tooth biting surfaces, where almost ninety percent of decay begins. Lantis Laser's OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) Dental Imaging System(TM) has up to 10 times the resolution of the standard x-ray, which enables much earlier detection of tooth decay than is currently possible.
What's more, because the OCT Dental Imaging System(TM) utilizes an innovative, safe, non-invasive light that is scanned over the tooth surface via a very small handheld probe, it can be used safely on children (and pregnant women), thus enabling the dentist to implement the necessary program to safeguard their oral health.
"The OCT Dental Imaging System(TM) will enable the dentist to detect and treat childhood tooth decay much earlier," explained Gimbel. "This is of extreme importance, since baby teeth maintain space and guide the growth of permanent adult teeth. Loss of primary teeth can cause crowding that can necessitate or complicate later orthodontic treatment."
"We expect to launch the OCT Dental Imaging System(TM) in mid-2008," said Lantis President & CEO Stan Baron. "The application of this technology goes far beyond cavity detection in children."
For example, although the recent CDC report uncovers an alarming trend among young children, it also points out that adults are keeping their teeth longer, which is a positive trend. However, because the adult population is living longer, oral care and preservation of natural dentition is even more important. "Again, we expect OCT to play an important part in the early detection of root caries (decay) in older people that will help them to preserve and enhance their oral health through the years and keep their teeth even longer," explained Baron.
In addition, OCT is expected to be useful in the early detection of gum disease, a leading cause of adult tooth loss, because it can scan and produce images of soft tissue to determine the depth of periodontal pockets without uncomfortable physical probing. This level of accurate detection is not possible with conventional x-rays.
OCT may also aid in the early diagnosis of oral cancer without surgical removal of tissue, as in a conventional biopsy, by imaging deep into affected tissue and performing what is known as an "Optical Biopsy." "We believe the OCT Dental Imaging System(TM) will prove itself as both a tooth-saving and lifesaving technology," explained Baron.
About Lantis Laser
Lantis was formed to commercialize the application of novel technologies in the dental industry. The criteria for selected products include competitive edge, exclusivity and large market potential. The Company plans to launch the OCT Dental Imaging System(TM) in the third quarter of 2008 as its first product. Lantis has exclusive rights to the application of OCT technology in the field of dentistry under its license Agreements with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and LightLab Imaging. OCT was invented in the early 1990's at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is currently being commercialized by Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc. in ophthalmology and by LightLab Imaging for cardiovascular imaging. To find out more about Lantis Laser (PINKSHEETS: LLSR), visit our website at http://www.lantislaser.com
Forward-Looking Statements:
Certain statements in this press release, including statements regarding the anticipated development and expansion of Lantis' business, and the intent, belief or current expectations of Lantis, its directors or its officers, are forward-looking statements. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
Contact Information:
Stan Baron
President & CEO Lantis Laser, Inc.
Tel: 203-300-7622
