Digital Imaging: Its more than just X-rays
In todays age of cloud-based and technology driven dental offices, digital x-rays are no longer the new kid on the block. Digital x-rays raised the bar for the standard of dental care. They allow use to take x-rays at lower radiation, take less x-rays because software allows use to change the contrast or invert the image to aid in reviewing the x-ray. New technology has allowed use detect and diagnose dental issues with little to no radiation and more accuracy.
One such technology that we utilize at Soft Touch Laser Dentistry is CariVu by Dexis, which is a caries detection device. It is used in conjunction to radiographs. The CariVu device utilizes near-infrared transillumination technology to produce images that look very similar to x-rays but from a top-down view. For example, the image shown here shows a cavity between the two teeth, that when compared to the x-ray of the same tooth looks like a suspicious area. This technology can help us see how deep the cavity is and allow us to watch a cavity to determine if we should treat it. It can also help us detect and evaluate fractures in the tooth. Since the technology does not utilize radiation, we can use it on young patients and those who are adverse to radiation. If a area looks suspicious a x-ray can then be taken for more information.