Squid Ink in Dentistry
SQUID INK COULD BE USED TO MAP TOOTH POCKETS
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego have published a paper in the
Journal of Dental Research describing a non-invasive method to measure pocket depth
using ultrasound following the patient having been given a mouthwash containing squid ink.
The ink contains nanoparticles which absorb light. The ultrasound is used to map tooth pockets
and would replace the traditional manual probe.
The technique has undergone animal testing but human clinic trials are at the planning stage.