Diagnodent is a handy laser instrument. This technology is used to scans teeth for detecting any hidden decays if present. It helps protect and preserve the functionality of the tooth.
Building up of bacteria on the occlusal or smooth surfaces of teeth and gums, leads to form a soft sticky layer called plaque. The bacteria feed on the sugar that we eat and drink and produce acids. These acids attack the tooth surface and gradually dissolve the outer coating of tooth (enamel). If frequent sugar consumption continues the enamel will eventually break down and a hole (cavity) will appear leading to demineralization of dental enamel leading to destruction.
Flouridation at certain extent and efficient oral hygiene habits halt the progression of the lesion and also may lead to remineralization. As present diagnostic tools are not sensitive enough hence expertsput forward a modern approach of preventing it rather than invasive repair by using tools based on flourescence and diagnodent being the one among them.
Working with diagnodent
Diagnodent caries detector operates at a wavelenth range of 655 nm and at this specific wavelength healthy tooth structure does not exhibit little or no fluorescence indicating reading on display to be of a low scale.further for carious tooth structure the amount of flourescnece emitted will be proportional to the extent of caries detection where elevated scale readings are displayed hence through the practitioner can go with a more accurate treatment for curing it. Also a audio signal operates which allows the operator to hear changes occuring in the scale values thus enabling one to focus more on the patient than the device.
Analysis of the results obtained in a diagnodent
| Stage | D – value | Interpretation & Result |
| 1 | Up to 20 | Dissolvation of the enamel resulting a lesion |
| 2 | 21-30 | Frequent acid attacks allowed the decay to travel deeper |
| 3 | 31-60 | Decaying entered the softer layer dentine |
| 4 | 61-99 | Destroy of the softer dentine layer even more |
| 5 | 99 | Decay of the pulp chamber (nerves and blood vessels) |
| 6 | N/A | Tooth has been destroyed |
Secure detection of caries – benefits at a glance
- Improved patient loyalty due to pleasant methods of treatment and successful prevention .
- Reduced use of the manual probe, decreased abrasion of the enamel .
- Gentle measurement enables without the unnecessary removal of healthy enamel.
- 90% accurate in caries detection have been proved.
- Uses minimal invasive techniques including micro rotary instrumentation, air abrasion, etc.
- Allows monitoring of caries prognosis.
- Small portable device which is simple to operate.
Diagnodent can be proved by (High patient loyalty + improved service = increased success of your dental practice) hence usage of efficient techniques for caries detection has been proved succesful and is widely used in hospitals for effective diagnosis and treatment.
