VITAL SIGNS: PREVENTION; Photography, the New Cavity-Fighter

Curated News:

By Timberlake Dental curated from nytimes.com

– Image Courtesy of Flickr – Vladimir Pustovit

“Dentists now use X-rays and visual inspection to look for cavities, but by the time they spot trouble, there can already be a lot of damage.

With the new technique, dentists may be able to detect cavities early enough that they can be treated without the need for a filling, Dr. Stookey said. This can be done several ways, including by remineralization or with a sealant.”

See full article on nytimes.com

Commentary:

As stated in the article, If a tooth has lost calcium or phosphate because of caries, the disease that leads to cavities, it will reflect the light differently, and a camera will record the change and relay the information to a computer.If the dentist believes a tooth is developing a cavity, the patient will be asked to come back in a few months, and new pictures will be taken to see if more decalcification has occurred.

Sharing:

Share on twitter
Share on facebook
More Sharing Services