DIAGNODENT

At Estes Park Dental, we work as a team to provide patients with complete satisfaction – in service and clinical care. Dr. Rauk and all of us at Estes Park Dental have developed the kind of environment to help you feel cared for and comfortable. Our entire team is committed to treating you with compassion, empathy, and excellent care. Before your initial appointment, please download and complete registration forms.

Finding Decay the Easy Way

One of the most important things we do for our patients is identify and fill cavities. Since any spot of decay can threaten the integrity of an entire tooth, detection is key to preventing a host of potential problems. Lengthy poking and probing sessions have been an acceptable, if not very comfortable, part of dental exams for years. However, such methods of decay detection are only 50 to 75-percent successful. Cavities can hide along fissure lines or inside biting and occlusal surfaces. Further, mechanical exploratory methods are limited to finding only those cavities that are equal to or larger than the probe head. To make the process more comfortable and comprehensive, we use DIAGNOdent, a revolutionary dental laser that finds cavities in the earliest stages.

Laser Reflection Spots Imperfection

DIAGNOdent technology uses a laser diode to inspect teeth, comparing reflection wavelength against a healthy baseline wavelength to uncover decay. First, we take a benchmark reading by aiming the laser onto one of your healthy enamel tooth surfaces, shining the laser into all suspect areas. As it pulses into grooves, fissures and cracks, the laser reflects fluorescent light of a specific wavelength which is measured by receptors, converted to an acoustic signal, evaluated electronically to reveal a value between 1 and 100, and then displayed on a screen. Any variation from the healthy baseline value stimulates emission of a different wavelength and alerts us to a weakened area of decay. Not surprisingly, this technology quickly and precisely identifies even the tiniest bit of decay. This means shallower, simpler fillings, preserving more tooth structure, and providing a specific means of monitoring suspicious areas.

Located in the Aspenwood Professional Building at 600 S. St. Vrain in Estes Park, Dr. Rauk’s dental office serves patients from surrounding areas, including Pinewood, Glen Haven, and Allenspark. Give us a call today to schedule your initial visit.