DENVILLE, N.J., May 17, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and follow up comments from the head of the American Dental Association bodes well for Lantis Laser Inc. (Pink Sheets:LLSR) (http://www.lantislaser.com). Two weeks ago the CDC reported tooth decay in primary teeth of children increased from 24% to 28%. ADA President Dr. Kathleen Roth commented that all Americans should be concerned with this statistic. Lantis Laser has exclusive world-wide rights to an imaging technology that can help solve this problem.
Lantis Laser's OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) Dental Imaging System(tm) has 10 times the resolution of the standard x-ray, providing much earlier detection of tooth decay than currently possible. It can also be used safely on children enabling the dentist to set in motion the necessary program to safeguard their oral health.
Traditional x-rays do not show the early incidence of tooth decay and the use of x-rays, because of radiation, is shied away from use on children. Dr Craig Gimbel, Clinical Director for Lantis added, "What dentistry needs is a safe way of detecting early tooth decay in children and our OCT Dental Imaging System(tm) will meet this need as it is light-based, with no harmful radiation, and the high resolution will detect early decay." He went on to say, "Early detection will enable the dentist to put in place a program for oral health and monitor it through the ability to detect demineralization or early decay. Parents need to be concerned since baby teeth maintain space for the permanent adult teeth and tooth loss causes crowding that can complicate any later orthodontic treatment."
A long-standing problem in dentistry has been the inability for x-rays to image the decay in the pits and grooves of the biting surfaces of teeth where almost ninety percent of the decay begins. A major advancement in diagnostic imaging, not seen since the inception of x-rays in 1885, will soon be available for the dentist. Lantis' OCT Dental Imaging System(tm) will enable the dental profession to capture images of the occlusal (biting) and other surfaces and to make earlier and more accurate diagnosis of decay, before it shows up on x-ray, through the advanced technology use of safe, non-invasive light which is scanned over the tooth surface with a very small handheld probe. The captured cross-sectional images of the tooth can immediately be viewed on a chairside display monitor. OCT imaging is analogous to ultrasound, but uses light instead of sound and generates an image with up to 25 times the resolution.
Gimbel went on to say," Early detected signs of decay can possibly be reversed and remineralized through the use of fluoride and amorphous calcium phosphate paste. The process of demineralization and remineralization (repair) can be monitored, validated and documented for the first time. Demineralization under and around orthodontic bonded brackets will be able to be determined for the first time since it can image through plastic brackets."
OCT can also image soft tissue, which is not possible with x-ray, and the depth of periodontal pockets can be measured comfortably without physical probing to aid in the early detection of gum disease. OCT can aid in the early diagnosis of oral cancer without surgical removal of tissue as in a conventional biopsy, by imaging into affected tissue and doing what is known as an "Optical Biopsy".
Stan Baron, President and CEO of Lantis, said, "Apart from the concern with respect to children, the report also points out that adults are keeping their teeth longer, a good sign of oral health. As the 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 diseases such as root caries (decay) in older people that will help them enhance their oral health and keep their teeth even longer."
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 (Pink Sheets:LLSR), visit our website at 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.