Using DIAGNOdent in your practice is an effective way to provide optimal patient care while
boosting your practice’s production and profitability. The DIAGNOdent does not replace
sound clinical judgment, but sub-surface caries is often difficult to detect using traditional
methods such as an explorer and bitewing X-rays. DIAGNOdent is an extremely accurate and
reliable caries detection aid that helps reveal the hidden.

DIAGNOdent will allow you to treat with confidence teeth suspected of harboring subsurface
caries. For incipient lesions, you are able to quantify the degree of infection and
monitor it over time. Adding DIAGNOdent to your treatment arsenal gives you a potent
new ally in the fight against hidden caries. Below are steps for successfully incorporating
DIAGNOdent into your practice:

1. Learn more about DIAGNOdent

Utilize the information provided in this DIAGNOdent Technology Integration Kit.
Learn how this leading-edge detection device can benefi t patients and the practice
by helping the doctor in the diagnosis of caries. Review the instructional materials
and DVD presentation provided with the product. A lack of product knowledge can
affect successful implementation of DIAGNOdent into your practice. The manufacturer
materials, along with your Technology Integration Kit, are valuable resources that will
help ensure your practice success.

2. Educate your staff about hidden caries

Informed staff members who can answer additional questions from patients reinforce
the treatment recommendation made by the doctor. Review the Proven Clinical Results
section in this kit with the entire team on how DIAGNOdent reveals the hidden. Use
staff meetings as a forum to discuss the effects of fl uoridation on caries development
and detection. Team members should emphasize to patients that minimally invasive,
conservative dentistry supported by DIAGNOdent is in their best interest.

3. Incorporate DIAGNOdent into hygiene department

As part of the hygiene program, the hygienist should include the DIAGNOdent in the
pre-diagnostic evaluation of stained grooves and the screening for hidden lesions. All
teeth where hidden caries is suspected should be scanned again with the DIAGNOdent
by the dentist. This will allow the dentist to detect incipient caries lesions and determine
the appropriate course of action.

4. Document patient treatment

In terms of third-party coverage, be proactive. For verifi cation purposes, clinicians should establish a protocol of recording noteworthy DIAGNOdent readings, along with the resulting intraoral images as evidence of appropriate treatment. Monitor and chart DIAGNOdent readings to support treatment decisions. DIAGNOdent allows you to track the progression of caries as well as any remineralization changes over time. To download samples of DIAGNOdent recording charts, CLICK HERE.

5. Train your team

Scripting is a simple but powerful tool for training your team. Verbal skills are fundamentally important when communicating with patients. Use the scripts contained in this kit to give your team the verbal skills needed to successfully incorporate DIAGNOdent into the practice. Practice the scripts during the morning meeting and other staff meetings. Team members should not memorize the scripts word-for-word, but use their own words to convey a consistent message.

6. Use DIAGNOdent on your staff

The best way to get team members’ buy-in on the efficacy and accuracy of DIAGNOdent is to demonstrate it on individual team members. When the DIAGNOdent detects several cavities on otherwise healthy-looking teeth, your team will become enthusiastic supporters of the device’s laser technology. Encourage team members to receive appropriate treatment. Their enthusiasm for DIAGNOdent will carry over to patients. Buy-in by the staff is central to successful product integration!

7. Make DIAGNOdent a part of your new patient consultation

Every new patient should have a consultation prior to the first examination. The doctor and the offi ce coordinator will present the practice treatment philosophy and stress the merits of early disease detection. During this discussion, the DIAGNOdent should be highlighted as part of the practice’s commitment to providing optimal patient care.

8. Educate existing patients

Educate patients about the importance of catching caries early before incipient lesions spread and cause extensive damage to teeth. Inform patients that you can now identify and treat teeth sub-surface cavities with confidence. Use the appropriate scripts to address patient concerns. Include information about DIAGNOdent and the benefi ts of early caries detection in your office newsletter and mailings. The enclosed “Patient’s Guide to DIAGNOdent” may assist you with newsletter copy ideas.

9. Track detection of sub-surface caries

The DIAGNOdent should be used on all teeth, particularly occlusal surfaces suspected of hiding sub-surface caries. Track DIAGNOdent readings and any production that results from treating caries-infected teeth.

10. Any questions? Contact KaVo for more information

Please contact us with any questions or feedback regarding DIAGNOdent. You can reach us at 1-888-ASK-KAVO (1-888-275-5286).

CLICK HERE TO WIN a DIAGNOdent Classic or Pen

What is the DIAGNOdent actually measuring?

The DIAGNOdent measures laser fluorescence within the tooth structure. As the incident laser light is propagated into the site, two-way handpiece optics allows the unit to simultaneously quantify the reflected laser light energy. At the specific wavelength that the DIAGNOdent laser operates, clean healthy tooth structure exhibits little or no fluorescence, resulting in very low scale readings on the display. However, carious tooth structure will exhibit fluorescence, proportionate to the degree of caries, resulting in elevated scale readings on the display.

What is the difference between the Moment and Peak?

The Moment is the number that is occurring at that exact spot on the tooth and changes as you move across the tooth. The Peak is the highest number recorded before the unit is reset. As you are doing your examination it is the Peak number that you should look at.

What do you mean by a clean tooth?

To get consistent readings, it is essential to have a clean tooth. This is especially important when monitoring values at future examinations. We suggest that the teeth are cleaned thoroughly using any acceptable means. The use of a powder jet cleaner, e.g. KaVo PROPHYflex 3, is a rapid and effective method to clean stain and debris from complex occlusal anatomy.

Can the unit diagnose inter-proximal caries?

No. Limited accessibility to the embrasure prevents accurate reading of approximal surfaces.

Can the unit be used around existing composite resin restorations?

No. Because composite resins can fluoresce, prompting elevated readings, the DIAGNOdent should not be used on these materials.

Can the unit read caries under an existing amalgam?

If there is caries at the margin, it will give an accurate reading; however if the caries is under the floor of the amalgam the reading will not be accurate.

If I see stain under a sealant, will the unit tell me if this is decay or not?

No. The sealant must first be removed and then an accurate reading can be taken.

Can the DIAGNOdent be used to determine if caries excavation is complete?

Not always; some conservative preparations designs, particularly those with small access openings, limit proper tip angulations within a preparation. Furthermore, independent research indicates that when used in deep preparations in close proximity to the pulp, elevated values may be obtained, possibly resulting from fluorescence of underlying pulp and not necessarily as a result of caries. Therefore, the use of other methods to determine extent of affected tooth structure should be employed in these situations.

What do you mean by risk assessment?

It is necessary to consider a patient's dental history, dietary sugar intake, oral hygiene, history of maintaining regular recalls, caries status (the number of carious teeth in their mouth), as well as any other information such as that from radiographs or other diagnostic modalities.

What does a very high number mean?

This may occur when there is an open lession at the surface or if there is a lot of debris where the reading is being taken. The tooth should be cleaned thoroughly and a second reading taken.

Can the unit be used on both primary and permanent teeth?

Studies have shown the unit is equally accurate in both primary and permanent teeth.

How much change in the reading between visits is considered significant?

The margin of error is (+) or (-) 3 so a change greater than this would be necessary before the tooth should be considered to exhibit a changing condition.

Can the tone be used to identify caries?

No. The audible tone function is an operator convenience, which allows the dentist to focus on the tooth while scanning, only sounding variably as different value thresholds are reached. The signal is intended to direct the operator to the visual display. Tone volume can be changed or altogether switched off as desired.

I cannot calibrate the unit. I continuously get an error message on the display.

Nearly all calibration errors are attributed to user error. It is necessary to follow calibration instructions carefully. If error persists, contact KaVo Customer Service.

As the device is a laser, is protective eyewear required?

No. The device is harmless when used as directed.

How deep does the laser penetrate the tooth?

Approximately 2mm.

Which tip should I use, A or B?

Tip A is conical in shape and designed for fissure areas. Tip B is broader and designed for flat surfaces.

What is the recommenced asepsis protocol for the DIAGNOdent?

Clean the control unit and the tubing surfaces with a soft cloth dampened with a mild soap solution. The remaining handpiece sheath and tips can be steam sterilized. Chemical vapor sterilization is also acceptable, however, components will eventually discolor and degrade at an accelerated rate. Many clinicians sterilize the tips but prefer to barrier protect the sleeve portion. Other clinicians fit barriers over the entire sleeve and tip assembly to eliminate the need for tip sterilization. When tips are barrier protected, unit must be calibrated with barrier in place. Tips can be cleaned with a soft cotton swab moistened with water. Do not use surface disinfectants on the tip or sleeve components! See Operating Manual for additional cleaning information.

Does ambient light affect DIAGNOdent readings?

The photo-optic measuring system in the DIAGNOdent has filters to eliminate the influences of most ambient light. However, when calibrating the device, avoid exposing the probe tip to direct halogen light.