Technological advancements have led to a variety of new tools and techniques in the field of dentistry. One of these advancements is the use of lasers for various treatments. Our dentist uses DIAGNOdent, a special tool that helps detect cavities at very early stages.
The Importance of Early Cavity Detection
Tooth decay can be difficult to detect. This is one reason why regular visits to your dentist are so important. By the time you are aware of a cavity, chances are good that it has progressed to a point where extensive treatment will be necessary. This could involve a large filling, a crown, or even a root canal or removal of the tooth.
Fortunately, your dentist has many ways to detect cavities before they exhibit definite symptoms. They have special tools with which they probe the surfaces of the teeth, feeling for soft spots where decay has begun. They use X-rays to produce clear images of the tooth that show decay clearly as darker areas on the image. And many dentists now use lasers to detect early decay.
How DIAGNOdent Works
DIAGNOdent uses a laser to examine your teeth and find areas where decay has set in. The laser is carefully calibrated to fluoresce when it encounters decayed tissue, allowing the dentist to see even very small, very early signs of developing decay. When problems are detected at these very early stages, they can be treated with much less invasive methods, greatly decreasing the likelihood that you will have to undergo a procedure such as a crown, root canal or extraction. Early detection also allows the dentist to use treatments that will preserve a much larger percentage of your original tooth. For example, a small cavity, detected in very early stages, might require only a small filling, maintaining the majority of the original tooth structure.
To find out more about how DIAGNOdent works and how it can help you receive more effective, less invasive treatment for dental decay, please contact our Arlington TX office at 817-465-0355 to make an appointment.
