Spectra® Caries Detection

When it comes to preserving your teeth and smile, prevention is always the best medicine. However, regardless of how much you brush and floss, you may still develop cavities. The good news is that finding cavities at an early stage helps us to conserve as much of your healthy tooth as possible and reduces the need for more extensive restorative procedures.

We’re proud to offer our patients the Spectra Caries Detection system, a state-of-the-art digital imaging tool that uses light-induced fluorescence to identify caries bacteria in fissures and smooth surfaces that may go unnoticed in X-ray images. It can even detect decay hidden in crevices between composite and amalgam fillings.

Spectra uses a small, pen-like tool that projects a specific wavelength of light onto your teeth. The information received by the device is then sent to our computer, where an image of your teeth will appear on screen. The computer displays active caries in red and healthy tooth enamel in green.

Spectra is painless and allows us to provide minimally-invasive dentistry whenever possible. For you, this means a more comfortable dental experience, less time spent in our office, and a healthier, longer-lasting smile.