How the Kavo DIAGNOdent Cavity Detector Works

I'm using a new technology that finds hidden cavities before they become major problems. It's the Kavo DIAGNOdent pen. It's a good example of high tech dentistry.

Kavo explains how the cavity detector pen works:

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"The DIAGNOdent hand-held caries detection operates at a wavelength of 655 nm. At this specific wavelength, clean healthy tooth structure exhibits little or no fluorescence, resulting in very low scale readings on the display.

However, carious tooth structure will exhibit fluorescence, proportionate to the degree of caries, resulting in elevated scale readings on the display of the DIAGNOdent, enabling the practitioner to provide a more accurate dental caries treatment plan.

An audio signal allows the operator to hear changes in the scale values. This enables the focus to be on the patient, not solely on the device."

http://www.kavousa.com/US/DIAGNOdent/Classic/Benefits.aspx

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You see, fluoridation of water and toothpaste has many benefits, but one downside is that tooth enamel is harder. Thus, cavity-causing bacteria is now sneaking deep down below the tooth surface, where it's much more difficult to detect.

We end up with fewer cavities, but the cavities that do occur are more secretive. They can do a lot more damage in their clandestine condition. By the time we can detect them with old fashioned methods, a lot of trouble has already been created.

Not anymore. With the Kavo DIAGNOdent cavity detector, we can find these hidden cavities and make better decisions about stained grooves in teeth. You get dental diagnostics that are far more accurate.

Kavo states: "Dentists often experience anxiety when attempting to diagnose the phenomenon known as hidden caries. A suspicious-looking tooth presents a treatment dilemma for dentists. Should the tooth be opened up? What if no caries is found? Should the tooth just be watched, or does that give caries more time to destroy the tooth's surface?"

With the high tech DIAGNOdent tool, we don't have to probe and scratch at your teeth to look for cavities, which for many patients was uncomfortable. All we do is insert the DIAGNOdent pen gently into your mouth, scan the teeth, and we're done.

No x-rays are needed in this process.

It's fast. It's safe. And it's extremely effective. The precision and reliability of cavity detection has reached a whole new level of sophistication.

Kavo states: "In a study conducted by Dr. Lussi of Berne University, Switzerland, general practitioners correctly diagnosed hidden fissure areas by visual inspection in only 57% of all cases. The same group achieved an impressive success rate of 90% with the DIAGNOdent. In fact, DIAGNOdent was far more accurate than any other method in the study including bitewing X-rays."

Early detection of cavities is an enormous benefit for patients, reducing future costs and helping to preserve teeth. The absolute last thing we want to do is pull a tooth out. Any dentist who is eager to extract a tooth is a dentist you may need to worry about. Only in extreme cases should a tooth be removed.

Kavo DIAGNOdent cavity detection can mean you keep more of your teeth. Think about how great that is.

To the best of my knowledge, and I have searched on Google for "kavo diagnodent dentists peoria il" (you can do this, too), I am one of the only dentists in the Peoria area who is using this new technology. As best I can determine, there are only a few of us using it currently.

Visiting a dentist can be somewhat uncomfortable for some people. I try my best to use patient-centered, high tech, and affordable procedures that result in the best smile you've ever had.

What is a Cavity? VIDEO

Checkdent provides a nice, concise explanation of dental caries, commonly called cavities.

Caries means rotten or foulness in Latin. Dental caries, also known as cavity, refers to a decayed or rotting portion of a tooth; Caries is a tooth disease caused by bacteria and leeds often to tooth ache.

Is the tooth enamel of beavers better than yours?

Beavers don't have floss or toothbrushes. But they do have one advantage over us. Beavers have tooth enamel that is better at resisting acid that any fluoridation can provide. The secret is iron.

That's right. You see, beavers have pigmented enamel on their teeth. Their teeth have brown coloration. It's the iron in the enamel that gives it this color and this protection against acid.

In humans, the acids of fruit, berries, and juices can eat away at tooth enamel, thus enabling bacteria to invade the teeth and cause cavities.

The study, using atom probe tomography, x-ray absorption spectroscopy, and correlative techniques, and published in Science magazine, is entitled "Amorphous Intergranular Phases Control the Properties of Rodent Tooth Enamel".

A layman's explanation of the study is found here.

Dry Mouth Can Give You Cavities

Have you had trouble eating, swallowing, or talking, due to lack of moisture in your mouth?

The technical term is xerostomia, a lack of saliva or spit.

Dry mouth, also called cotton mouth, can be common during stress or as a side effect of some medicines. But you need saliva in your mouth to prevent cavities. Your saliva contains good bacteria that fight off the bad bacterial causes of tooth decay.

Most people are probably unaware of how dry mouth can increase cavities. It's an important consideration in cases of when a person's mouth seems to be dry a lot.

While various medicines and treatments can inhibit your salivary glands, the cure for dry mouth can be simple. 

Changing your medication may do the trick. 

Just drinking more fluids can help a lot, too. Keep water with you more often, sipping on it frequently. Help yourself to lemonade, grape juice, tomato juice, kefir, green tea, and your favorite healthy, hydrating beverages.

Increase your intake of watery substances, like grapes, melons, oranges, tangerines, berries, and other juicy fruits.

Then there are special rinses, gels, toothpastes, mouth washes, and moisturizing gels available.

Consult your medical doctor or dentist if dry mouth is a problem. 

If left untreated, recurrent dry mouth can mean a big increase in tooth decay, which we all want to avoid.

Contact my office if you have this, or any other, oral health or dental problem.

Kavo DIAGNOdent cavity detector

The KaVo DIAGNOdent is helping my patient have healthy teeth through advanced technology.

This amazing tool measures the density, or hardness, of teeth. By finding soft spots, decay can be dealt with more quickly, since X rays only show advanced bacterial tooth damage.

By detecting tooth decay sooner and dealing with it in earlier stages, you can avoid more expensive treatments.

I like offering my patients the most effective procedures currently available. Having the latest dental equipment and tools is part of my pain-free, affordable, high tech dentistry.

Notice how I'm placing the KaVo DIAGNOdent on top of the tooth in the model below.

It's a digital device that is far better for detecting soft spots on the top of teeth. Soft spots means cavities. DIAGNOdent is over 90% accurate in caries (cavities) detection.

DIAGNOdent is more accurate than the manual steel probe shown in photo BELOW.

DIAGNOdent uses a laser to help find hidden decay by scanning teeth with pulses of laser light.

Call my office to learn more about this and other dental technology that increases your comfort and gives better results.

Watch this DIAGNOdent Laser Cavity Detection video for more information.

Can Soft Drinks Increase Tooth Decay? VIDEO

ADA Dental Minute: Soft Drinks

6 Ways to Reduce Cavities and Improve Dental Health

When I was a kid, it seemed like that I always had some cavities at my dental check-up. A good exam for me was announcing to my mom that I only had one cavity. That was before fluoride was introduced into toothpaste and no information was given about flossing.

Today, we have more information available to help our patients reduce their cavities and keep their teeth and gums healthy.

Cavities are caused by bacteria in our mouth that make holes in our teeth. The bacteria feed off carbohydrates, especially sugar and make acid to weaken enamel and dentin.

(1) Reduce carbohydrate intake, especially sugars.

Mints, suckers, and any candy, including cough drops that stay in your mouth a long time, are harmful to our teeth. Sweet Tarts have the terrible combination of acid and sugar. If you feel the craving to eat something sweet, eat dark chocolate.

If you prefer milk chocolate, even a Hersey bar does not stay in your mouth very long. Crackers are carbohydrates that will feed the bacteria that make cavities. Eat fruits for snacks. Cheese can be beneficial to your teeth.

(2) Avoid acidic beverages.

Drinks with a lot of acid in them include such favorites as Coke, Pepsi, Sunny Delight, Capri Sun, tomato and V8 juice, and even Gatorade. 

All of these have a low pH, 2.7 or lower. If you drink soda, limit it to one meal per day and use diet soda.

Try to drink water right after drinking the soda to wash away the sugar and reduce the acid attack. Do not drink soda in between meals.

(3 ) Ask your dentist about prescription fluoride toothpaste.

Colgate Prevident 5000 can be prescribed to patients that are cavity prone. It costs about $9.00 per tube and is very beneficial in stopping decay.

(4) Lack of saliva can promote cavities.

Many medications can diminish saliva flow. Patients undergoing chemotherapy often have a reduced saliva flow. 

People will say that they have "cotton mouth" or a "dry mouth". The lack of saliva enhances the ability of the bacteria to grow.

There are over the counter products made by Biotene, available at Walgreen’s and CVS that help people with a dry mouth.


(5) Brush at least twice a day, especially before bedtime and floss once per day. It takes about two minutes to brush and one to two minutes to floss.


(6) If you are still getting cavities after all of these recommendations, ask your dentist to make custom fluoride trays. Prescription fluoride gel will prevent new decay almost totally. The fluoride must be used daily.

Need more in-depth, personal advice about your teeth and gums?

Our office can help you determine a course of action for your needs to keep your teeth cavity free.

Contact us by phone during our business hours, or send me an email or post a comment.

A new, improved smile can mean a whole new life, with increased social poise and self-confidence.

Fluoride trays.

Candy Means Cavities claymation dentistry VIDEO

 Claymation-based public service announcement (PSA) televisiion spot encouraging youngsters to "kick the sweet snack habit -- and save a tooth!"

 Videos like this are wonderful to show to children to entertain them and make them laugh, while overcoming their fears and teaching them valuable lessons about dental hygiene.

 Looking for a pain free, affordable, high technology dentist in the Peoria, IL area?

 Contact me today, right now, while you're thinking about it.

 A New and Better Smile WILL Change Your Life.