Cavity Detection With DIAGNOdent

DIAGNOdent is an instrument used in our office that uses lasers to detect any signs of tooth decay. The benefit of such a device is that it is able to identify signs of tooth decay earlier than many other diagnostic techniques. This is a positive step in the treatment of teeth, as the sooner signs of tooth decay are found the better prepared we are to deal with them.  Because the decay is detected earlier, the number of dental procedures - and hence, the cost - can often be reduced. It's a great way to keep little problems from becoming big problems.

In the past tooth decay predominated in between teeth. With the widespread use of fluoride, the very nature of tooth decay has changed. The outer surfaces of teeth are strengthened and more resistant.

Today most tooth decay starts in the hard-to-see valleys and canyon-like anatomy of the tooth surface. Pit and valley cavities are traditionally the most difficult to detect using x-rays due to the direction the images are taken from. Images are taken from the side of the tooth, which essentially hides the cavity from the dentists view. An almost undetectable area of decay can aggressively penetrate inward towards the soft surfaces of the tooth and literally destroy the tooth from the inside out. This can happen before a cavity is even visible to the naked eye.

X-rays and DIAGNOdent complement each other. X-rays are good at finding cavities in between teeth and on the roots. DIAGNOdent is good at finding cavities on the biting surfaces of the teeth.

DIAGNOdent works by way of a laser which is calibrated to each individuals teeth.
The light of the laser is shone onto the teeth and a numerical reading appears on the unit. Teeth that are of good quality will show little to no reading (0 to 24 in our office), but those that are showing signs of decay will show a reading of 25 or higher. The DIAGNOdent measures laser fluorescence within the tooth structure. As the incident laser light is propagated into the site, two-way handpiece optics allows the unit to simultaneously quantify the reflected laser light energy. At the specific wavelength that the DIAGNOdent laser operates, clean healthy tooth structure exhibits little or no fluorescence, resulting in very low scale readings on the display. However, carious tooth structure will exhibit fluorescence, proportionate to the degree of caries, resulting in elevated scale readings on the display. Studies have shown the unit is equally accurate in both primary and permanent teeth.

DIAGNOdent is completely painless  and takes only a few minutes. It's energy level similar to that of a laser pointer, the laser beam is harmless to surrounding tissues. The DIAGNOdent laser is used as a routine part of exams and there is no additional fee associated with the scan.





 

Digital X-rays

Dentists consider x-rays one of the most helpful tools in helping patients maintain good oral health. X-rays help dentists diagnose  common disorders such as cavities, periodontal disease and infections, and some of the more uncommon problems, such as cysts, abscesses and tumors.

X-rays can also allow your dentist to determine whether a child's permanent teeth are erupting properly. In general, children need x-rays more often than adults because their mouths grow and change rapidly, and they are more susceptible to tooth decay than adults

An advance in x-ray technology is digital x-rays which uses sensors that feed the images to a computer.The digital x-ray system is more sensitive than the traditional dental x-ray film systems, so exposure to x-rays is cut by as much as 90 percent.

You are exposed to many sources of radiation every day, from the sun,  your home appliances etc. Radiation can damage the body's tissues and cells and can lead to the development of cancer, but fortunately, the radiation to which you are exposed during the taking of digital x-rays is extremely small.

Without the ability to see inside a tooth and beneath the gums, some disease would go undetected and more teeth would be lost because needed treatment wasn't started in time. If dental problems are found and treated early, dental care is more comfortable and affordable. Digital x-rays are not without risk, but the risk is minuscule compared with the huge diagnostic benefit of keeping your natural teeth healthy and disease free.

Pain Free Dental Injections

Let us introduce you to the DentalVibe

The DentalVibe is an instrument we use in our office to eliminate/reduce pain from dental injection. It somewhat looks and sounds like an electric toothbrush.

It is placed at the injection site.




The DentalVibe transmits vibration at the site. This sensation reaches the brain and blocks most if not all of the discomfort associated with the injection.


We have had very positive feedback from our patients.