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DIAGNOdent

A laser examination tool for the early detection of decay.

Even very small lesions can be detected at the earliest stages.

Earlier treatment - Better outcomes

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Decay Models

A) Traditional Decay Model—Caries attack begins in the enamel with demineralisation 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

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The Probe

Diagnodent is a pen-like probe that sends a safe, painless laser beam into the tooth.

A numeric display & alarm signals when there are signs of hidden decay.

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The Probe vs Pic

The above pictures show how the Diagnodent can find cavities that other dental instruments can miss.

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How It Works The Diagnodent device measures laser fluorescence within the tooth structure. As the incident laser light is propagated into the site, two-way hand-piece optics allows the unit to simultaneously quantify the reflected laser light energy.At the specific wavelength that the device operates(655 nm), 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. The device is designed as an adjunct to a traditional oral examination in the detection of occlusal decay. Teeth that are suspicious for caries are ideal candidates for survey with the device

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Over 90% accurate!

Proportion of "correct diagnoses" using various diagnostic methods (in the case of seemingly intact occlusal - biting surfaces).

In a study conducted by Dr. Lussi of Berne University, Switzerland, dentists 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 (flossing x-rays) .

Percentage Correct Diagnosis

57%

56%

58%

67%

65%

40%

90%

Inspection

Inpection with the aid of magnification

Inspection and probing

X-Ray bitewing

Distinct de-mineralisation of the fissures

Brown or black discolourisation of the fissures

Kavo DIAGOdent