The End Of The Dentist Drill

November 25, 2016, Costa Rica Dental Services

A new technology that spots tooth decay almost as soon as it’s begun promises to reduce the need for drilling and filling, writes Patrick Walter in SCI’s Chemistry & Industry (C&I) magazine.

Drilling is one of the top dental phobias and puts thousands of people off visiting their dentist every year.

The new technology, which may be available in dental surgeries in five years from now, is based on Raman spectroscopy most commonly used to distinguish between different chemicals by identifying each molecule’s unique fingerprint. It detects decay simply and painlessly by pointing a tiny optical fibre at the tooth to check on its health.

A preliminary study at King’s College London, where the technique is being developed, found that chemical changes in the tooth could be detected by analysing how light is scattered when a laser is fired at the tooth. Researchers were able to tell healthy teeth from carious teeth because bacteria, responsible for the decay, scatter light in a different way to healthy teeth. The results were presented at Microscience 2008.

Frances Downey, a PhD student working on developing the technique at King’s College London, said: “The earlier you spot decay the better as you can remineralise the area so there is no cavitation and therefore no need for a filling”.

The highly skilled dental professionals at Clínica Gadea Ramírez are regarded as leading cosmetic dentists Costa Rica patients turn to for sophisticated cosmetic dentistry treatments. Over the years, they have helped numerous dental implants, porcelain veneers and porcelain crowns Costa Ricapatients realize their dreams of an attractive, confident smile. Other procedures they perform include teeth whitening and full mouth reconstruction in Costa Rica.

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