American Dental Technologies receives clearance for "laser curettage".

SOUTHFIELD, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 20, 1997--American Dental Technologies Inc. ("ADT") announced today the Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") has granted the company 510(k) clearance to market its PulseMaster lasers for "laser curettage" (removal of diseased or inflamed soft tissue in the periodontal pocket).

"I am excited that we are now able to market our lasers to dentists for use in improving clinical indices, including gingival index, gingival bleeding index, probe depth, attachment loss and tooth mobility," said Ben J. Gallant, ADT's president and CEO. "This most recent FDA clearance is for another beneficial and clinically significant use of our PulseMaster dental lasers and provides us an exciting marketing opportunity to increase dental laser sales in the United States."

"It has been estimated that perhaps 80 percent of the American population suffers from some form of periodontal disease," noted Terry Myers, DDS, ADT's senior vice president - Dental Division. "It is by far the number one cause of tooth loss in adults. As tooth decay continues to decline, dentistry will be focusing more and more on the problem of diagnosing and treating gum disease. Laser curettage gives dentists another tool that, together with other forms of treatment, can help intercept periodontal disease in its earlier stages."

The laser's optical fiber tip is inserted into the pockets of infection between the teeth and gums, Dr. Myers explained. The laser energy removes the diseased tissue, promoting healing. Studies have shown that laser treatment, when used together with conventional treatment methods, produces improvement in classic symptoms of periodontal disease, such as gingival bleeding, pocket depth, attachment loss and tooth mobility.

"As periodontal disease advances, there is progressive loss of bone and other tissues," Dr. Myers noted. "Those stages of the disease require more dramatic forms of treatment. Although the laser isn't a magic wand that will wipe out all forms of gum disease, if it helps dentists more effectively treat the early stages, fewer patients will have to experience the destruction that occurs in an advanced stage."

ADT's innovative products, the PulseMaster line of dental lasers and the KCP 10, KCP 100, KCP 1000 and KCP 1000 PAC, are recognized leaders in the dental high technology market. PulseMaster lasers allow dentists to treat gum disease and perform other procedures with little or no bleeding and less need for anesthesia. The KCP works like a miniature sandblaster spraying away decay, usually without a need for anesthesia. The PAC utilizes a high intensity light source to rapidly cure composite fillings and accelerate light-activated tooth bleaching materials.

Headquartered in Southfield, Mich. and Corpus Christi, Texas, American Dental Technologies develops and manufactures advanced technologies for dentistry and markets them worldwide. It is listed on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market. From March 17, 1997 through April 14, 1997 the company's trading symbol is temporarily ADLID. On April 15, 1997 the company's trading symbol will revert back to the original symbol, ADLI.

Certain statements contained herein are forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those presently anticipated as a result of various factors which are described in more detail in ADT's 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Please consider all the information available in the documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation, the cautionary statements relating to "forward looking statements" in Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K.

CONTACT: American Dental Technologies, Southfield

Diane Miller, 810/353-5300