Diagnodent for detecting decay and caries

Diagnodent is a technological apparatus that uses lasers to pick up any signs of tooth decay. The main attraction of such a device is that it is able to identify signs of tooth decay earlier than many other investigative techniques. This is a positive step in the treatment of teeth, as the sooner signs of tooth decay are found the better prepared dental professionals are to deal with them.

This will improve the chance of a tooth’s survival, and will also lessen the need for invasive procedures used in the treatment of tooth decay. Those who have a fear of the dentist and the apparatus used in such a setting will be happy to hear that the diagnodent device lessens the need for such procedures. Also, you will also be happy to know that diagnodent will work to minimize the cost of further dental treatment.

Dental decay

Dental decay occurs when bacteria builds up in the mouth and begins to eat away at the teeth. This is caused by numerous factors, though the primary causes are what you eat and how regularly you clean your teeth. If you have a high intake of sugary and acidic foods then this will likely lead to tooth decay. In the past it took time for the signs of tooth decay to become apparent, but through the use of the diagnodent device dentists are able to identify signs of the condition and begin to apply the necessary treatment early on. This is a real breakthrough in the treatment of tooth decay, one of the main reasons why people lose their teeth.

How does diagnodent work?

Diagnodent works by way of a laser, and you can be rest assured that the treatment is completely safe. The light of the laser is shone onto the teeth through an optical fibre. Teeth that are of good quality will display little fluorescence, but those that are showing signs of decay will be quite evident in the way they appear on the reading. The device works at a wavelength of 655 nm, which is essential to the separate identification of healthy and unhealthy teeth.

The data passed into the device will not only shine when there are signs of tooth decay, but will also give an audible signal to alert the dental practitioner. The dentist will then be able to deal with the area where there is tooth decay before it can develop into something more problematic. The device is safer than other investigative techniques used to identify tooth decay, such as x-rays

What is so beneficial about diagnodent?

There are several benefits to the use of diagnodent, not only for the patient but also the dental practitioner.

  • Diagnodent uses a laser to identify signs of tooth decay and therefore limits the need for invasive probes, which can be very off putting for patients needing to visit the dentist.
  • Diagnodent identifies the symptoms of tooth decay a long time before other investigative techniques. This enables the dental practitioner to get started on treatment before the decay is able to spread.
  • The dentist will be able to keep records of what diagnodent has identified in past treatments. This will enable the dentist to know if there are any specific teeth that are more likely to develop signs of decay in the future.
  • Children often have a fear of the dentist, due to the strange tools and apparatus used, such as needles and drills. Diagnodent helps to put a stop for the need to use such tools in the long run.
  • One of the most typical methods used to identify tooth decay is through the use of x-rays, which give off small waves of radiation. Diagnodent helps limit the need to use such technology that some people may be concerned about.
  • Not only will the dentist be able to ascertain what the results are from the diagnodent device but also the patient, by way of an audible and visual signal.
  • Diagnodent has been found to have a success rate of 90%, and this is bound to improve as the technology continues to develop.

diagnodent image

Over 90% accurate!

Proportion of "correct diagnoses" using various diagnostic methods (in the case of seemingly intact occlusal - biting surfaces).

In a study conducted by Dr. Lussi of Berne University, Switzerland, dentists correctly diagnosed hidden fissure areas by visual inspection in only 57% of all cases.

diagnodent study

The same group achieved an impressive success rate of 90% with the DIAGNOdent. In fact, DIAGNOdent was far more accurate than any other method in the study including bitewing x-rays (flossing x-rays) .