Check Out Spectra: Our New Cavity Diagnosing Tool!

Did you know that in dental school, they aren't teaching how to find decay with an explorer anymore? This is because they are now using a new effective and accurate tool, called Spectra. At Grove, we pride ourselves on being ahead of the curve when it comes to dental technology and services. That’s why we now use this amazing tool!

What Is Spectra?

Spectra is a non-invasive caries (decay) detection aid that helps eliminate the guesswork in detecting and diagnosing tooth decay. Its updated technology provides dentists and patients with beneficial insights that impact the health of your teeth. On the imaging software used with Spectra, healthy enamel appears green, while carious regions will appear in either blue, red, orange or yellow. Along with the coloring, a number between 0 and 5 will be displayed, indicating the extent of the decay. The image depicted here is an example of what a Spectra reading may look like.

Image courtesy of Air Techniques.

These images can be easily understood by both the patient and dentist. This not only allows for early detection, but also a clear discussion on how to prevent or reduce any problems found. With guidance from Spectra, our team is reassured that all carious dentin will be removed. The system even allows us to track the progress and effects of your treatment with before and after images.

How Spectra Works

Spectra uses fluorescence to detect caries in fissures and smooth surfaces that may go unnoticed in X-ray images. Its four Violet LEDs stimulate metabolic products found in cariogenic bacteria, causing them to glow red while healthy enamel glows green. This allows for detection of tooth decay hidden between the margins of existing composite and amalgam restorations.

With Spectra, there is no need for explorers. Explorers are less effective, provide virtually no diagnostic feedback, and can cause damage by breaking enamel rods and causing an iatrogenic cavitation when forced into an incipient carious lesion.