- Halimeter
A Halimeter is an instrument for measurement of the level of
volatile sulfur compound s (VSCs) in the mouth.Halimeter was introduced in the early 1990s as an adjunct method for determining
halitosis (bad breath, oral malodor) levels, alongside human assessment ofodor levels (the latter is considered the gold standard). The instrument measures parts per billion levels ofhydrogen sulfide and, to a lesser extent,methyl mercaptan , two gases which were previously shown to be associated with bad breath using gas chromatograph by Dr.Joseph Tonzetich in the late 1960s.The Halimeter is manufactured by Interscan Corp. in
California , and based on their earlier model 1170 portable sulfide monitor. This was the model used in the two original studies [Rosenberg M, Kulkarni GV, Bosy A, McCulloch CA. Reproducibility and sensitivity of oral malodor measurements with a portable sulphide monitor. "J Dent Res". 1991 Nov;70(11):1436-40. PMID 1960254.] [Rosenberg M, Septon I, Eli I, Bar-Ness R, Gelernter I, Brenner S, Gabbay J. Halitosis measurement by an industrial sulphide monitor. "J Periodontol". 1991 Aug;62(8):487-9. PMID 1920015.] . These studies, conducted for the first time by Dr.Mel Rosenberg , showed a significant correlation between monitor levels and oral malodor scores. The small size, simplicity of use, and price (relative togas chromatograph ) of the Halimeter made it popular amongdentist s seeking to diagnose and treat bad breath, as well as scientific researchers. Much of the published research on bad breath over the past dozen years has employed this instrument. Theelectrochemical sensor is sensitive toalcohol vapors, and requires recalibration over time. The Halimeter has been the only VSC monitor for the diagnosis of halitosis for years, but now that its patent has expired, it faces competition from othersulfur monitors recently introduced into the marketplace.ee also
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Halitosis References
External links
* [http://www.halimeter.com/ Official Halimeter website]
* [http://www.tau.ac.il/~melros/ Tel-Aviv University website on oral malodor]
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