This was my first visit to Dr. Karen Helsby and will be my last.....Read below.
I recently moved to the area and was looking for a new dentist. I am 40 years old, had braces for 5 years when I was a teenager and have never had a cavity my entire life. I have good dental hygiene, visit the dentist every 6-8 months, don't drink soda and rarely ever eat sweets. So, my cavity risk probability is extremely low.
This is until the dentist use one of these laser lighting pens and said that I had 2 cavities. I was shocked, since they were not able to find anything in my xrays or via the mental poker they use to stick your teeth. I inquired further with the dentist and the attitude was basically, oh well you were bound to get a cavity sometime in life...just schedule an appointment and we will take care of you.
Well, I did some research and got a second opinion from my dentist whom I trust back home in Philadelphia who received her doctoral degree from University of Penn Medicine. They confirmed they were just stains..No cavities
Be very wary of these cavities detecting tools and don't be afraid to get a second opinion. The ADA does not recommend these tools due to the high rate of false positives or degree of sensitivity of such tools.
(http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2012/09/28/ouch-new-technology-makes-dental-trips-even-worse.html)
"Emerging devices like the Diagnodent and Air Techniques Spectra have been accused of helping dentists drum up business with unnecessary drillings."
"These devices don't give me anything I can't do without hand, eye, or X-ray." (- ADA spokesman and Ohio dentist Matthew Messina)
http://www.wsj.com/articles/tooth-decay-detected-by-laser-and-light-systems-1420483113
"Devices Find Signs of Decay Earlier Than X-Rays, but There's a Risk of False Positives"
https://www.aadc.org/articles/articlespositionstatements/aadc-position-statement-laser-fluorescence-in-caries-diagnosis_91794.aspx
"False positive readings, possibly due to false biases or resins and calculus being present on the tooth"
"Despite the potential drawbacks noted in this paper, and the overwhelming majority of studies advising against the practice at this time, some practitioners continue to diagnose suspected caries solely using this technology. Additionally, many of these same dentists are billing for this procedure separately, using the ADA codes 'D0425' or 'D0199' in addition to the standard exam codes." read more