120-00011 Rev. New
Halimeter
PLUS User Manual
7/15/2020
13
Section 4 – Breath Sampling Considerations
The Halimeter
PLUS is designed to reliably measure VSC (Volatile Sulfur Compound)
concentrations as part of a total program for the treatment of halitosis. Along with a
thorough history and physical examination of the patient, the quantitative nature of
Halimeter
PLUS data can serve as an excellent tool for following the progress of treatment
and for archiving hard copy records.
A “normal” Halimeter
PLUS reading is defined as a reading measured with a subject who
does not present with an apparent bad breath problem. Based on a statistical study of
several thousand individual Halimeter
PLUS readings taken at INTERSCAN using
multiple subjects not presenting apparent breath problems, more than 90% of the readings
occur within a range of
80 to 120 ppb
. The following scale can be used as a guide for
interpreting Halimeter
PLUS readings.
1) Normal readings, for subjects with no oral malodor, are generally in the range of
80-120 parts per billion (ppb). Readings lower than this range are still indicative of
no oral malodor, and are otherwise clinically inconsequential.
2) At levels of 200-300 ppb, oral malodor is noticeable by an observer standing close
to the patient.
3) At 350-400 ppb, the odor is noticeable by an observer standing several feet away
from the patient.
4) At 500-
700 ppb the odor is more noticeable not because it is “stronger,” but
because it is more foul.
5) At over 1000 ppb, the odor will linger for several minutes after the patient leaves
the room.
NOTE:
Halimeter
PLUS data by itself cannot affirm whether a breath problem exists. The
dental practitioner is required to include the assessment of other diagnostic procedures
prior to making a positive conclusion.
