DIAGNOdent® Lasers: The Future Has Arrived

Using a laser beam to search for cavities may seem like an idea straight out of a futuristic science fiction movie – but the future is already here. Thanks to the technology of the DIAGNOdent® laser, dentists are equipped with a safe and effective approach tooth examination below the enamel, outpacing the capability of traditional X-rays.

Catching Cavities Early

Advancements in dentistry ranging from high quality electric toothbrushes to fluoride in drinking water have many obvious perks, such as stronger tooth enamel and overall improved oral health. Despite good oral hygiene practices, some people still suffer varying degrees of tooth decay, which can cause cavities or even tooth loss. While stronger tooth enamel can make it more difficult for teeth to decay, strong enamel can also impede cavity detection when it does occur.

By using DIAGNOdent® lasers, dentists now have a two-pronged approach to detecting existing cavities as well as dental decay. As traditional X-rays only take images from the sides of teeth, many cavities go unidentified until they are visible or begin causing oral pain. DIAGNOdent lasers are handheld devices that easily fit within a patient’s mouth, allowing dentists to scan all surfaces of your teeth. The laser can penetrate the narrow spaces between teeth and in the ridges that X-rays miss, ensuring accurate scans and better dental treatment planning.

How Do DIAGNOdent® Lasers Work?

DIAGNOdent® lasers shine the laser directly on the tooth to measure the tooth’s fluorescence, or how bright the different areas of each tooth are when they are scanned with the laser. As your dentist scans each tooth with the DIAGNOdent® laser, it emits a sound that alerts him to tooth decay. The higher the pitch, the more severe the dental decay is.

The laser imaging is saved in specialized software that allows the dentist to evaluate the fluorescence and decay of each tooth. Healthy tooth structure shows up on the scans as a dark shade, while different stages of tooth decay appear in varying lighter colors. Lighter shades indicate more advanced tooth decay.

The DIAGNOdent® laser is an effective, painless approach to cavity detection. As the laser identifies areas of higher dental decay, DIAGNOdent® lasers allow patients and dentists to strategically plan dental care to prevent cavities and other dental issues. Ask your Foothills Ranch dentist today about incorporating DIAGNOdent® laser cavity detection into your next routine check-up.