DIAGNOdent in Cosmetic Dentistry in Plano, TX

At the Plano, TX cosmetic dentistry office of Dr. Ron Bosher and Dr. Tim Nguyen, identifying, diagnosing and preventing problems and treating them in the earliest stages is an important aspect of what we do for our patients. We do this by staying up-to-date with the latest technology so that we can offer precise diagnostic and dental treatment plans. It is our continued goal to provide the most minimally invasive tooth preserving treatments available today. One way we are able to accomplish this, is by catching tooth decay very early and diagnosing cavities in the beginning stages. The highly advanced DIAGNOdent laser cavity detector does what no normal X-ray has ever been able to do, allowing Dr. Bosher and Dr. Nguyen the immediate opportunity to provide precise and accurate treatment for long-term dental health.

Because of the increase of fluoride and other chemicals in many of the products we use today, it is more difficult to detect the early stages of cavities because of harder enamel surfaces caused by this fluoride use. In most cases, this makes early cavity detection difficult with use of an ordinary dental X-ray. DIAGNOdent works by targeting its high-powered laser beam directly through the tooth. It uncovers hidden tooth decay and allows dentists to see the level and location of decay with early detection and accuracy.

DIAGNOdent is a laser that emits painless pulses of light through the tooth structure. It hits the tooth at around 655nm wavelength and is safe and effective in finding hidden decay. The laser shows the decay with a florescent reflection. Whenever DIAGNOdent encounters tooth structure that registers fluorescence outside the healthy baseline range, it produces an audible signal and displays a value on its LED screen. The higher the value displayed, the greater the amount of decay that is presented.

The dentist still uses digital X-Rays as part of his routine dental maintenance program for many patients. DIAGNOdent is an excellent compliment that can be added to the oral examination, but it also used in conjunction with traditional methods. It is also important to note that DIAGNOdent cannot be used on restored teeth. Patients with crowns and bridges will still need traditional and/or digital X-rays and other diagnostic methods in order to detect decay.

How accurate is DIAGNOdent in detecting tooth decay?
Traditional methods like x-rays and visual examinations are commonly used to identify cavities. However, the DIAGNOdent laser enhances detection by highlighting decay in areas not visible to the naked eye, including inside the tooth. This advanced tool allows our dental team to catch cavities earlier, enabling prompt treatment.

Is the DIAGNOdent laser painful?
The DIAGNOdent laser uses a gentle light probe to scan the teeth with harmless pulses, quickly identifying areas of decay. This noninvasive method is comfortable and widely preferred for its effectiveness in cavity detection.

How does DIAGNOdent detect tooth decay?
The DIAGNOdent probe emits a fluorescent light that identifies decay. The data is displayed as a digital readout, with the numbers indicating the extent of decay in the affected tooth or teeth.