Probe and device for the ultrasonic detection of smooth surface lesions on tooth crown surfaces

This invention is a device and method for the detection of smooth surface lesions such as caries and tooth crown surface cracks on a tooth crown surface, the device having an ultrasonic surface wave transmitter/receiver (20) capable of transmitting ultrasonic surface waves along a tooth crown surface. Surface lesions encountered by the ultrasonic surface waves produce ultrasonic surface wave reflections which are receivable at the generator/receiver, thus enabling the presence of the lesion to be detected. The ultrasonic surface wave generator/receiver may comprise a transducer operatively connected to a wedge-like couple (30). Longitudinal ultrasonic waves generated by the transducer are imparted onto the tooth surface by the coupler which has a contact surface in contact with the tooth surface being tested. The coupler also enables ultrasonic surface wave reflections to be received by the transducer.