Finding Decay The Easy Way
 One
of the most important things we do for our patients is to
identify and fill cavities. Since any spot of decay can threaten
the integrity of an entire tooth, this is key to preventing
a host of future problems. Historically, that's why lengthy
poking and prodding sessions have been an acceptable, if not
very comfortable, part of dental exams. However, such methods
of decay detection are only 50% to 75% successful: cavities
can hide along fissure lines, or inside biting or occlusal
surfaces. Further, mechanical exploratory methods are limited
to finding only those cavities that are equal to or larger
than the probe head. Enter DIAGNOdent: a revolutionary, thorough
means of detecting cavities.
Laser Reflection Spots Imperfection
DIAGNOdent technology uses a laser diode to inspect your
teeth, comparing reflection wavelength against a healthy baseline
wavelength to uncover decay. First, we take a benchmark reading
by aiming the laser onto one of your healthy enamel tooth
surfaces, shining the laser into all suspect areas. As it
pulses into grooves, fissures and cracks, the laser reflects
fluorescent light of a specific wavelength which is measured
by receptors, converted to an acoustic signal, evaluated electronically
to reveal a value between one and 100, and then displayed
on a screen. Any variation from the healthy baseline value
stimulates emission of a different wavelength and alerts us
to a weakened area of decay. Not surprisingly, this technology
quickly and precisely identifies even the tiniest bit of decay.
This means shallower, simpler fillings, preserving more tooth
structure, and providing a specific mean of monitoring suspicious
areas without repeated x-rays.
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