Diagnodent Diagnostic Laser
Lasers Can Find Cavities Early
Dentists are using a new technology that can detect a weakness in a tooth before it becomes a cavity. That could mean no more Novocain shots and no more drills.Diagnodent is a new laser which finds hard-to-spot areas of tooth decay. The device is a compact diode laser used to identify areas of tooth decay that are missed by traditional means, including X-rays. Diagnodent shines a laser beam down into the tooth, to a depth of 2.5 mm. The device is aimed into the grooves of teeth, providing a decay reading to the dentist.
Regular dental exams and X-rays can miss as much as three-quarters of decay. One Swiss study showed that dental exams using a pick detected 57 percent of the problems, while Diagnodent caught 90 percent of decay.
By catching the decay early, dentists have a number of tools that can get rid of it, without Novocain or drilling.
The device is a compact diode laser, and it shines a laser beam down into the tooth, to a depth of 2.5 mm. This unique instrument provides instant feedback on the health of the tooth and an alarm signals the operator when there are signs of hidden decay. Best of all, this new technology is safe and pain free.
Diagnodent is FDA approved.