Difoti

^tm literally means Digital Imaging Fiberoptic TransIllumination or, in other words, the use of standard light as a diagnostic tool. The process works as follows:

Using an intraoral device that looks much like a camera, we shine light on your tooth. A certain amount of the light actually goes through the tooth and is captured by the camera on the other side. This light is converted to a signal that can be read by a computer. Instantaneously an image of your tooth appears on the computer screen. No waiting for developing, no time wasted time retaking images. The actual process occurs in real time so that what you see on the screen is actually live, up close and personal.

The images that are captured can be used to diagnose a variety of dental conditions including but not limited to decay, fractures and ill-fitting restorations. All of this can be done without the need for x-rays. That is not to say that Difoti^tm replaces the dental x-ray. Currently Difoti^tm is limited to capturing an image of the part of the tooth you see in the oral cavity. It does not see below the gum line. Therefore x-rays are still necessary in order to diagnose other dental conditions. However, Difoti^tm used in conjunction with standard dental x-rays can reduce the need for radiation and provide valuable diagnostic information.

Some examples of images captured by the DIFOTI^tm system are:

        Early Decay                          Leaking Filling                     Later Decay

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