New technology detects cavities without xrays.  Dr. Niessen explains how the device called Diagnodent works.

STORY: DIAGNODENT

AIRDATE: Monday, May 26, 2003

Daybreak and Midday

DHC Master #17 Timecode:

Do you hate dental x-rays? Do they

set off your gagging reflex? Well,

the newest x-ray device in dentistry may be

for you.

Dr. Linda Niessen shows us a latest

way to detect cavities in today’s

SOVT: 1:34 Dental Health Check.

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RACHEL GETTING DETECTION (VOICE-OVER)

No more poking and prodding. No

SUPER: Irving :01-06 more radiation. No waiting until the

film develops.

A laser now detects cavities. And it

may do it more accurately than conventional

x-rays in many cases. How does it do it?

ON CAMERA (STAND-UP BRIDGE)

SUPER: Dr. Linda Niessen :17-21 It measures the amount of enamel and

Baylor College of Dentistry dentin lost and assigns a number using a

special scale.

MORE OF CAVITY DETECTOR (VOICE-OVER)

The number helps the dentist

decide if the tooth needs a filling or should

just be checked again in several months.

Small amounts of decay can disappear if the

tooth hardens the softened enamel, a process called remineralization.

SUPER: Dr. Kent Smith (“It gives you such accurate readings that if

Dentist :38-43 you decide to watch a tooth, six months

down the road, you’ll rescan the tooth,

check the reading. I’ve had the Diagnodent for a year now, many times we’ve found that some of those numbers get smaller.”)

Page 2 Cavity Detection

MORE OF RACHEL The device, called Diagnodent, is painless,

and very safe.

DR. SMITH (“It does not necessarily find more decay.

It helps us decide if it’s true decay.”)

MORE OF DIAGNODENT If small cavities are detected, patients can

choose to use a prescription fluoride rinse

that will help remineralize the tooth and

CLOSEUP OF “Peridex” mouth rinse avoid a filling entirely.

(chlorhexidine)

SUPER: Rachel Currie 1:16-1:22 (“It’s amazing to know that they can just

Dental Patient put a little instrument and know exactly the

depth of your cavity.”)

ON CAMERA (STAND-UP CLOSE)

New laser cavity detection will not replace all x-ray technology. But it is one more tool

to help your dentist provide better

treatment. For Baylor College of Dentistry,

Texas A & M System, I’m Dr. Linda Niessen, Channel 8 News.

For viewer inquires:

dentists with Diagnodent

are Dr. Kent Smith and Dr. Jeff Roy,

21^st Century Dental, 4301 N. MacArthur,

Suite 100, Irving (972-255-3712)