Laser Caries Detection Device
Diagnodent
There is a large amount of people that are affected by dental caries, or that have had dental caries in their permanent teeth. Many of these people have suffered  with severe dental caries, teeth that are so destroyed by the caries that are not restorable or end up needing a root canal treatment. These caries start small and are usually not visible with radio-graphs or dental examination, until it’s too late. These small caries end up costing you hundreds of dollars, but there is a solution for this problem. Technology in the dental field is helping dentist diagnose more accurately, along with digital x-rays and visual exams there are laser caries detection aid. These laser caries detection devices help the dentist diagnose caries that begin in hard to reach places, where caries can multiply and grow. These areas are the pit and fissure(grooves) of the teeth, these areas are very difficult to diagnose. There is research that suggest that most of caries occur in the occlusal (chewing surface ) part of the teeth. So how do these laser detection devices work ? A well known laser caries detection devices is the KaVo DIAGNOdent, The DD_fuctionDIAGNOdent uses laser technology to detect and quantify hidden or sub-surface caries by measuring laser fluorescence within the tooth structure. This device operates at a wavelength of 655 nm, at this specific wavelength clean healthy tooth structure exhibits low fluorescence resulting in a low scale reading. When there is caries the machine will give a high scale reading, the device will also beep at higher scales giving the operator more control and not go based on only the device reading. The DIAGNOdent is very accurate over 90% accurate in detection of lesion. It is also very safe to use it uses light energy, it’s painless and non invasive for patients. The laser caries detection device work in conjunction with radio-graphs and visual dental exams. At Smiles on Bristol Dentistry in Santa Ana we offer free complimentary radio-graphs and visual dental exams. The best preventative measure for caries is to brush and floss and floss daily, along with routine dental examinations. Please contact us to schedule your complimentary dental examination. Contact Us