Dental or tooth decay is the most prevalent oral problem affecting millions of all age groups worldwide. Early detection is the key to a successful treatment in restoring your tooth and saving yourself from extractions. Modern dentistry has evolved over the recent years through innovative diagnostic aids like Diagnodent. This is a revolutionary invention that is much more accurate than dental X-rays.
The dentist in Lakewood Ranch, FL, and their team use Diagnodent for their patients to diagnose dental caries at an early stage. Let’s explore this magical and non-invasive dental diagnostic tool.
What is Diagnodent?
Diagnodent is an advanced and modern laser-assisted diagnostic tool that helps detect tooth cavities at an early stage. It can effectively spot even the smallest lesions at the earliest stage without having to scrape, probe, or open up the affected tooth. Over the past decades, Diagnodent has been considered to be over 90% accurate when compared to dental X-rays.
Understanding the principle behind Diagnodent
Diagnodent represents a safe, straightforward, and comfortable method for detecting dental caries. It features a handheld, pen-shaped instrument linked to a monitor or screen. This device emits laser lights into the tooth to assess its internal fluorescence. Operating at a precise wavelength, the laser utilizes two-way optics to regulate the amount of light reflected from the tooth. The resulting measurements are displayed on the monitor, with higher readings relating to increased levels of tooth decay.
Result Interpretation:
- 10 to 15: No cavity detected
- 15 to 30: Preventive care recommended
- 30 and up: Extensive restorative treatment recommended
Benefits of using Diagnodent
Diagnodent is a revolutionary diagnostic tool for caries that is gaining popularity, due to the following benefits:
- Exposes caries at an early stage
- Does not involve scraping or opening the tooth
- Safe and painless procedure
- Affordable diagnostic test
- Provides accurate results
- No exposure to radiation involved in X-rays thus can be safely used for pregnant, and lactating women
- Less time-consuming
The process of using a Diagnodent
The steps involved in using a Diagnodent are as follows:
- Your dentist will isolate the affected tooth with a rubber dam to control moisture, which can lead to false positive results.
- The Diagnodent probe will be carefully held over the tooth and moved near the occlusal (chewing) surfaces, the interdental (between the teeth) areas, the buccal/labial surface, and the palatal/lingual surface.
- The readings will be recorded on the monitor, and the results will be interpreted by your dentist accordingly.
Takeaway
Diagnodent is a cutting-edge diagnostic tool that employs laser technology to detect tooth decay, particularly in areas that are difficult to examine visually. These innovative diagnostic devices have been increasingly favored as they help prevent the need for extensive and painful dental treatments such as extractions.
