Researchers writing in ACS Sensors describe a toothbrush-shaped ultrasound transducer that can enable a less intrusive screening for gum disease.
The toothbrush-shaped ultrasound transducer (left image) features a small head size (right image), allowing easy access to premolars and molars in the back of the mouth. Image Credit: Adapted from ACS Sensors 2025, DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.5c00521
Periodontal probing is employed to search for indications of gum disease. This involves dentists poking gums with a tiny metal tool during a dental appointment to check for gum disease.
In proof-of-concept experiments on animal tissues, the gadget provided measurements comparable to those of a manual probe.
Gum disease is a frequent disease affecting the tissue surrounding and supporting the teeth. If left untreated, it causes the gums to move away from the teeth, forming spaces for deadly bacteria to develop.
Manual periodontal probing is the usual method for detecting gum disease, but it is painful and may miss early stages.
Non-Invasive Ultrasound Technique for Gum Disease Detection
Jesse Jokerst and colleagues have created a compact, non-invasive ultrasound device for imaging teeth and gums, including hard-to-reach molars and premolars at the rear of the mouth.
Ultrasounds function by delivering sound waves to the body. When sound waves reach a structure, such as gum tissue or teeth, they are reflected and detected by the transducer. The transducer then transforms the reflected sound waves into an image.
Currently, most ultrasonic transducers have big heads the size of wireless earbud cases. Although they function on larger parts of the body, they cannot reach tiny places such as the mouth.
Smaller transducers, roughly half the length and breadth of standard devices, are available. However, present versions have poor image resolution since they can only create and detect low frequencies. To address these constraints, the researchers developed a tiny toothbrush-shaped transducer that runs at a higher frequency and produces high-quality pictures of teeth and gums.
To evaluate the transducer’s accuracy, the researchers measured the gum thickness and height of pig teeth with the new equipment. The researchers then repeated the results using a manual metal periodontal probe.
After assessing the correlation between the two sets of measures, the researchers discovered that the ultrasound measurements were statistically similar to those obtained using the manual approach. The findings validate the toothbrush-shaped transducer’s dependability as a less intrusive method of monitoring gum health.
We designed this tool to meet the realities of clinical dentistry — it is miniaturized, accurate and easy to use. Future work will use this device with patients to image below the gumline, where we will monitor treatments and diagnose earlier to reduce dental pain and help patients keep a healthy smile.
Jesse Jokerst, Professor, Department of Nanoengineering, University of California, San Diego
The authors gratefully acknowledge support from the National Institutes of Dental and Craniofacial Research at the National Institutes of Health Office of the Director.
Journal Reference:
Khan, S. et al. (2025) Performance Evaluation of a Miniaturized, Toothbrush-Shaped Ultrasound Transducer for Periodontal Imaging. ACS Sensors. doi.org/10.1021/acssensors.5c00521