Prevention is better than cure
Providing the latest and best services to our patients is one of our goals.
So as part of our recent investment program we have acquired a brand new, high tech tool that allows us to find cavities on the chewing surfaces of back teeth, even when they just beginning, and would have been missed by previous detection methods.
The DIAGNOdent is a small portable laser detector which catches your tooth cavities with a beam of laser light
The DIAGNOdent can detect these cavities and alert us with an audible signal and also provide a numerical readout, so we have an idea of it's size.
The value is that we can stop cavities in their infancy, whereas in the past they would have to be significantly bigger before we could find and treat them.
Just like other areas of medicine and dentistry, early detection and treatment is always the best way forward.
The DIAGNOdent laser is a detecting device. The advanced laser can detect decay earlier than more conventional methods. In fact, it can find 50% of the decay that goes undetected by present diagnostic methods. This laser is truly valuable in the prevention of Dental problems and the promotion of good oral health.
How we use it.
Here is a tooth which has a stained natural fissure and which may have a hidden hole beneath the stain. 
If you have this type of stained fissure , we will arrange an appointment with our Dental Hygienist , Nicky Smith.
The first step is to gently remove the stain. We do this with a mini-air jet washer which showers the fissure area with fine spray of bicarbonate of soda and water.
Once the fissure is cleaned, the delicate tip of the Diagnodent laser reader, is passed over the fissure and a reading is taken which indicates whether there is only a surface stain or whether there is definitely a cavity and if so how deep it might be.
If it is shallow then we will try to prevent it progressing. If it turns out to be a little deeper then you will benefit by a mininmally invasive, sealant-type repair can be carried out. We will only recommend a filling if it is essetial at an early stage. A stitch in time!
In this case a tooth coloured resin is bonded to the tooth after skimming away any soft surface enamel or dentine. This does not normally need any anaesthetic !
What about these? Are these cavities or stains?
The Diagnodent will tell us !
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