DIAGNOdent®

The Diagnodent is a pen-like probe that sends a safe, painless laser beam into the tooth and checks its health. A number scale and an alarm will signal when there are signs of hidden decay. This allows us to determine if decay is lurking beneath the apparently healthy tooth surface. This technology allows us to catch tooth decay at an earlier stage, before the tooth is destroyed from the inside out. This will help prevent more extensive procedures. A) Traditional Decay Model-Caries attack begins in the enamel with demineralization and cavitation. Easily diagnosed visually, with sharp explorers or radiographs. B) New Decay Model - Enamel does not cavitate because of protection from fluoride. Caries begins in dentin through fissures, pits, fractures, and enamel pores. Difficult to diagnose with traditional methods.