Advanced Diagnostic Tools

Dental lasers  play an important role as diagnostic tools. Our Diagnodent® Caries Detection Laser drastically reduces tooth loss through earlier detection. Traditionally, tooth decay could only be detected visually, by using a dental explorer or an x-ray. Using the Diagnodent® laser allows detection of very small lesions in areas not visible to the eye or on x-rays. This allows Dr. Spees to repair the diseased site before large amounts of healthy tooth structure are destroyed or nerve tissue becomes infected.

Another important advance in early detection and diagnosis involves oral cancer. Oral cancer is growing at an alarming rate in the United States, claiming one life an hour, more than skin cancer or cervical cancer. Although the normal risk group includes smokers, smokeless tobacco users, heavy alcohol drinkers, and people over the age of 40, twenty five percent of oral cancer victims fall into no risk group.

A painless non-invasive test called ViziLite™ has recently won FDA approval to identify abnormal oral cells at their earliest possible stage. Abnormal oral cells can progress to a pre-cancerous state rapidly and with little warning. This test, along with conventional visual oral examination improves early detection rates dramatically. As in all areas of health, early detection is paramount in assuring a positive outcome.

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