With DIAGNOdent, we can cure what we can’t see!
Our goal at Artistic Dental at the biltmore is to help you maintain and improve your oral health. We utilize state of the art equipment to achieve that goal. One of the newest technologies we use is a small laser instrument called the DIAGNOdent, which scans your teeth for decay that may be hiding.
Finding hidden decay before it destroys the structure of the tooth is an important part of ensuring oral health. Thankfully, the fluoride supplements in dental materials, toothpastes, and drinking water have helped by making tooth surfaces harder and more resistant to decay.
(tooth image)
Diagnosing cavities beneath the hard surface of the teeth is more difficult because the decaying process can start through microscopic weaknesses in the hard surface enamel and can easily spread into the softer part of the tooth structure beneath the surface. X-rays and probing with dental tools are helpful, but their results limit the detection of sub-surface decay, especially if the cavity is in its early stages. The DIAGNOdent allows dentists to monitor the areas below the hard surfaces where they can locate hidden decay. Proper treatment can halt the spread of disease before it destroys the tooth from within.
This unique instrument lets the dentist receive instant feedback on the health of the tooth. A pen-like probe simply glides over the surface of the teeth, continually checking the health of each tooth. A number scale and an alarm signals the dentist when it finds signs of hidden decay. This safe technology is pain free for patients, from children to the elderly. Detecting problems early minimizes the expenses related to major tooth repair.
We always encourage our patients to schedule regular dental check-ups and cleanings, as well as floss and brush regularly at home.
Conventional Exams
Using conventional exams does not usually permit traditional dental instruments to probe drop-shaped fissures.
DIAGNOdent Exam
During a DIAGNOdent exam, the dentist has the advantage of detecting cavities in their very early stages by measuring the laser fluorescence that is within the structure of the tooth itself.