Question: I recently read an article in the AARP magazine that said when a dentist probes a soft spot on a tooth he could augment the decay process by spreading bacteria further into the tooth. Is this correct? - C.G., Hobe Sound
Answer: Ah, the dreaded probe. You mean the "explorer," a 4,000-year-old instrument used by the Egyptians and many a home hobbyist in assembling those pesky plastic models for Junior.
If the instrument is pressed too hard into a decalcified pit or fissure on the biting surface of a tooth, "cavitation" can occur, making the lesion more susceptible to decay. A better way to diagnose pit and fissure decay is with the Diagnodent, a laser decay detector that measures the bacteria at the bottom of fissures that are too narrow for the explorer to reach. Early diagnosis means treatment with small resin fillings.
If you’ve got a question for Dr. DeCarlo, please call our office at 239.936.5252 or email Dr. DeCarlo at smiledecarlodds@earthlink.net