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One of the most important
things we do for our patients is to find 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. However, traditional methods of decay detection have
been shown to be only 40% to 67% accurate: 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- that is rapidly
becoming the standard of care- earning the ADA Seal of Acceptance. The
Diagnodent is a pen-like laser scanner that shines a safe,
painless beam into the tooth and checks its health. A numerical reading
and an alarm will signal when there are signs of hidden decay. This allows us to
determine if decay is lurking beneath the apparently healthy tooth surface. This
technology allows us to catch tooth decay at an earlier stage, before
the tooth is destroyed from the inside out. This will help prevent more
extensive- and expensive- procedures.
A Diagnodent reading under 10
indicates that the tooth has no discernable decay. A reading of 10-20
indicates that there is some superficial enamel softening and the patient’s home
care may need to be explored and “tweaked” a little bit; 20-29 indicates
that the decay is more advanced, but remineralization therapy, rather than
surgical intervention (a filling) can be attempted. And any reading over
30 indicates a definite area of decay requiring a filling.
A study conducted by Dr. Lussi of Berne
University, Switzerland, in which dentists correctly diagnosed hidden fissure
areas by visual inspection in only 57% of all cases! The same group
achieved an impressive success rate of 90% with the DIAGNOdent. In fact,
DIAGNOdent was far more accurate than any other method in the study
including bitewing x-rays.
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