Timberhill Dental - Dr. Kurt S. Black - a Corvallis, Oregon General and Cosmetic Dentist

DIAGNOdent

Laser Detection of Invisible Decay

The widespread use of fluoride has made cavities more difficult to diagnose, the DIAGNOdent allows the dentist to look inside the grooves of the tooth. The traditional way to check for cavities was by looking for visual signs of decay on the tooth, checking x-rays, or feeling for a soft area with a dental hook. DIAGNOdent is a laser technology that scans your teeth with harmless pulses of light. When a cavity is present, fluorescent light of a different wavelength bounces back to the sensor, which is translated to a digital read-out. In general, the higher the number, the greater the amount of decay in the tooth. When a cavity is present, the DIAGNOdent also produces an audible signal.

You'll benefit from our use of DIAGNOdent, because it helps us find decay that may have previously gone undetected. By diagnosing decay early in its development, we can prevent more extensive damage. Your restorations will be small and less costly, and you'll be able to retain more of your own natural, healthy teeth.