Diagnosis

Dental diagnostics

introduction

Various diagnostic options are also available in dentistry.

Before everyone therapy a disease stands the Diagnosis. Targeted therapy can only be used when the cause of the disease has been identified. This is also the case in dentistry.

anamnese

An exact anamnese is an important prerequisite for a dental diagnosis. When a new patient visits him for the first time, he is generally asked to fill out a questionnaire asking about known illnesses in the past and his current symptoms. The type and extent of the complaints will then be discussed with the dentist.

Assessment

The dentist will assess the condition of teeth, gums and oral mucosa and ascertain the overall dental status. Everyone will tooth assessed and gaps, bridges, Crowns and Fillings registered and recorded in the dental status. Then the examination for carious defects is carried out with a mirror and probe. Areas that are otherwise difficult to examine can also be viewed with the mirror. The probe is used to self Caries to capture in the early stages.

Periodontal probe

Is there a suspicion that a Periodontal disease is present and gingival pockets are present, the depth of the pockets is determined on the relevant teeth by means of a Periodontal probe measured. In contrast to the normal probe, this is rounded at the tip and has a graduation so that the pocket depth can be read in millimeters. The normal depth is 1 to 2 millimeters. With a pocket depth of up to approx. 5 millimeters, a closed curettage, i.e. Removal of all sickening bag contents without sight. Any pocket depths beyond this require an open curettage under visual conditions. In addition, the knock sensitivity (Percussion sensitivity) examined. This is done by tapping the tooth with an instrument.

roentgen

The X-ray shows all findings that cannot be captured through eye contact. For example, you can determine the degree of existing bone loss or, in the case of dead (devitalized) Teeth recognize the presence of lightening at the tip of the root, which indicates a pus focus that may be symptom-free but requires therapy. At a Root canal treatment the control is also carried out via an X-ray. If a supply with implants is planned, the X-ray shows whether the bone conditions are sufficient.

A further development of X-ray technology is digital roentgen. This has several advantages. An X-ray film is no longer necessary, and therefore no development of the X-ray film is necessary. The image is instant and can also be edited to better see details. There are no poorly exposed images. Orthopantomography is available as a panorama technique for images of the entire dentition. It gives an overview of the dentition in its entirety in one picture. You can find detailed information on this diagnostic technology at roentgen.

Vitality test

Sometimes it's not entirely clear if one is tooth lives (vital) or dead (devital) is. Then you can determine the condition by means of a vitality test. In the past, this was done using electricity, which caused quite severe pain in living teeth. That is why today one uses a cold stimulus that through Cooler spray is produced.

Measurement of tooth mobility

Are teeth through periodontal diseases or Bone loss loosened, you can determine the degree of loosening with the Periotest device. Periodontometry thus provides a basis for the necessary therapeutic measures.

Plaque coloring tablets

The six-month dental check-up is also important.

For demonstration in practice or for home use, there are coloring tablets available, which are characterized by their red coloring Erythrosine the Plaque (Plaque)to make visible. You will be amazed how much of these toppings are left after that Brush teeth available. The staining can then be used to specifically remove the residues of the covering. The disadvantage of this method is that the red color can also be seen on the tongue and will last for a while.

In addition to the coloring tablets, there are also solutions containing fluorescein that make the plaque glow green after exposure to blue light. The advantage is that without lighting, no color impairment can be seen.The disadvantage is the availability of a blue light lamp.

Summary

The dental diagnostics is the prerequisite for the necessary therapeutic measures. In addition to the anamnesis and the doctor's consultation, the dentist has numerous diagnostic aids available.