Detect and Treat Cavities with Laser Dentistry
Past Dentistry Options vs. Laser Dentistry Benefits
June 23, 2018What Advantages Do Lingual Braces Have Over Traditional?
July 5, 2018
Laser cavity detection is transforming the dental experience of thousands of patients across the United States. Do you hate being numb or hearing a dental drill in your mouth during a cavity treatment? If so, you don’t have to have either of these in the dental office if you choose laser dentistry! This is a drill-free (and virtually pain-free) way to get your cavities filled with little or no anesthesia. We can detect and treat tooth decay using focused beams of gentle laser light. Find out how the process of laser cavity detection and treatment works with laser dentistry!
The Need for Laser Cavity Detection
Fluoride is widely used in dental offices across our nation and does an amazing job at keeping tooth enamel strong, drastically reducing the incident of tooth decay in our country. But, the amazing tooth-enamel-strengthening power of fluoride also makes detecting cavities more difficult.
Dentists typically use an explorer tool to poke at and in your teeth to look for soft spots indicating decay. Tougher enamel, literally, makes it tougher for dentists to diagnose early-forming cavities inside your tooth.
How DIAGNOdent Laser Cavity Detection Technology Uncovers Decay
Kids love magic wands, and the DIAGNOdent laser is one of the favorites in our office! This pen-like wand seeks out decay hiding on the surface teeth, seemingly in plain sight, but undetectable by the naked eye.
Why do we love the DIAGNOdent laser cavity detection technology? It’s safe, pain free, and offers improved accuracy over x-rays and traditional methods.
Using the principle of lightwave reflection, DIAGNOdent uncovers cavities with how the tooth reflects the applied light. A healthy tooth allows light to pass through with minimal refraction. When a cavity is present, the light will be reflected. The amount of light reflection helps us estimate the size of the cavity.
DIAGNOdent has been approved for the detection of dental cavities (caries) by both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the American Dental Association. The NY Times reports that more than 20,000 dentists in our nation are now turning to the power of DIAGNOdent for detecting cavities.
90% Success Rate Diagnosing Hidden Cavities
One of the most amazing advantages of laser cavity detection is its ability to find cavities hidden inside the tooth enamel. External cavities are easy to spot, but internal cavities are often missed until they are bigger problems–not so with DIAGNOdent treatment!
Why More and More Dentists Are Turning to Laser Cavity Detection
The many benefits of laser cavity detection can’t be denied. “A recent study found one device caught 93% of early caries, the dental term for tooth decay, compared with 27% for X-rays,” reported the Wall Street Journal. Not all cavities detected by laser cavity detection have to be treated, but when your dentist knows they are there, he can watch them and safeguard the health of your teeth and smile.
DIAGNOdent laser cavity detection offers these unique eight advantages over traditional cavity detection:
- More accurate. Over 90% accurate in detecting decay that wasn’t found with an explorer or bitewing X-rays.
- Less misdiagnosis. Prevents unnecessary invasive treatment of suspicious teeth.
- Data-driven: Precise, reliable measurement tools give your dentist real data to help monitor cavity activity over time.
- Confidence building: Helps you know that your dentists and hygienists are treating questionable sites and sub-surface cavities with accurately
- Empowering: Allows hygienists to educate patients on cavities and decay
- Interactive: Engages patients in examination process.
- Safe: Uses light energy-no X-ray exposure. Poses no danger to patients.
- Painless: Quick, non-invasive examination tool.
Call for a DIAGNOdent Laser Technology Consultation
DIAGNOdent laser cavity detection supports our mission at Hardy Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics to offer our patients state-of-the-art services you can trust with expert care. This tool helps us focus on prevention, tooth preservation, and treatment accuracy. With tools like these, patients experience less anxiety during exams and treatment. Call us today at (303) 223-0403 to make an appointment.