Laser Detection of Cavities
By Dr. Linda Niessen -- Baylor College of Dentistry STORY: DIAGNODENT AIRDATE: Monday, May 26, 2003 DHC Master #17 Timecode Dentists with Diagnodent are:
Monday, May 26, 2003
Dr. Kent Smith and Dr. Jeff Roy
21st Century Dental
4301 N. MacArthur, Suite 100
Irving, TX
972-255-3712
Do you hate dental x-rays? Do they set off your gagging reflex? Well, the newest x-ray device in dentistry may be for you. Dr. Linda Niessen shows us a latest way to detect cavities in today's Dental Health Check.
No more poking and prodding. No more radiation. No waiting until the film develops. A laser now detects cavities. And it may do it more accurately than conventional x-rays in many cases. How does it do it? It measures the amount of enamel and dentin lost and assigns a number using a special scale. The number helps the dentist decide if the tooth needs a filling or should just be checked again in several months. Small amounts of decay can disappear if the tooth hardens the softened enamel, a process called remineralization.
"It gives you such accurate readings that if you decide to watch a tooth, six months down the road, you'll rescan the tooth, check the reading. I've had the Diagnodent for a year now, many times we've found that some of those numbers get smaller," says Dr. Kent Smith, a dentist who uses the procedure in his practice.
The device, called Diagnodent, is painless, and very safe. "It does not necessarily find more decay," says Dr. Smith. "It helps us decide if it's true decay." If small cavities are detected, patients can choose to use a prescription fluoride rinse that will help remineralize the tooth and avoid a filling entirely.
Commenting on this unique new diagnostic procedure, dental patient Rachel Curry says, "It's amazing to know that they can just put a little instrument and know exactly the depth of your cavity."
New laser cavity detection will not replace all x-ray technology. But it is one more tool to help your dentist provide better treatment. For Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas A & M System, I'm Dr. Linda Niessen, Channel 8 News.
Dr. Linda Niessen, clinical professor in the Department of Restorative Sciences and the Office of Communications and Development at Baylor College of Dentistry, hosts Dental Health Check, the only weekly dental feature shot on location in the nation.
