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 by KaVo: 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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