July 2008
Clinician's Comments | Caries Detection
Better technology, better patient care
As technology advances, treatment outcomes are improving.
By Jeanne Godett, RDAEF, RDHEF| | | UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL |   |
The DIAGNOdent’s ergonomic caries detection pen rests in the holder on the unit when not in use. Photo courtesy of KaVo. |
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As the practice of dental hygiene keeps getting better and better, I am enjoying my profession more every day. Because technology and its advancements are helping those of us in the dental industry become better at what we do, we are better able to serve our patients. KaVo Dental Corp. and its introduction of the DIAGNOdent® caries detector revolutionized the ease by which caries are detected from the hygiene chair. Now we have a leg up on calculus detection.
New diagnostics…
KaVo (kavousa.com) recently introduced the DIAGNOdent Perio Probe calculus detector. Similar to the caries detector, the probe has revolutionized the ability to detect sub- and supra-gingival calculus in healthy and infected periodontal pockets. It has changed the way that I treat my patients. I have implemented this Perio Probe (also referred to as Perio Tip) into every hygiene appointment. The easy-to-use Perio Probe, used in both DIAGNOdent Pen and Classic models, allows me to quickly and thoroughly evaluate each pocket or sulcus for calculus for each patient.
…taking calculus out of the equation
While I was recently performing an in-office laser training, I supervised a dental hygienist using her hand instruments to remove sub- and supra-gingival calculus. Unable to remove the roughness in one area and assuming she was still removing calculus, we then used the Perio Probe to evaluate the tooth surface for possible residual calculus. To our amazement, the unit indicated that there was no calculus present in the questionable area. The Perio Probe reduced the time for scaling and prevented over-treating the patient’s tooth structure, which may otherwise have lead to excessive sensitivity. The patient appreciated hearing where and when the calculus was detected, and when it had been fully removed. This kept him involved in his treatment.
The ability to detect sub-gingival calculus with the Perio Probe has enabled me to experience improved outcomes for the dental health of many of my patients. In the past, I was unable to adequately treat infected periodontal pockets. With the use of the Perio Probe, however, I now can detect and thoroughly remove the previously undetectable sub-gingival calculus by using micro-ultrasonic and hand instrumentation.
The KaVo GENTLEray® 980 diode laser also contributes to more successful outcomes. Following removal of calculus, I treat the pocket with the diode laser to ‘kill’ the sub-gingival bacteria in the soft tissues, and then locally apply antibiotics to lower the bacteria count for 28 days and speed the area’s healing. Substantially reducing the bacterial load helps create a healthy, maintainable tissue level in the treated area. All of these are necessary steps that will help restore the dental health of my patients.
Increased application of this newest technology and the development of confidence in its use have positively added to the arsenal of tools available to the dental hygienist. As clinicians, we should embrace these new tools that help us deliver better treatment to those who have entrusted their care to us.
Jeanne Godett has been making a professional difference in people’s lives for more than 25 years. She has honed her skills as an RDA practicing in California, and in an effort to continuously improve her professional skills, Godett attended the UCLA School of Dentistry, increasing her professional proficiency with the attainment of an RDAEF certification. She then achieved her RDH degree from San Joaquin Valley College in Visalia, becoming the 17th RDHEF in the state. Today, Godett serves as the director of LVI Global’s laser program and focuses on providing the best care for her patients at the highest level of value-added services for the practice.
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