What is transillumination?
Transillumination is the clinical practice of shining light through hard or soft tissue as a diagnostic aid, to disclose or emphasize internal defects.
Dentistry is a visual profession. Anything that helps you see better can help you do better dentistry. The key, however, is the intensity of light. The ideal concentration of light can reveal a wide range of dental health issues:
- Caries
- Fractures
- Fracture lines
- Tartar
- Subgingival tartar
- Hemorrhaging in traumatized teeth
- Air bubbles in seating veneers
- Hyperplastic teeth (If the light shines through, the defect is shallow. If the tooth is opaque, the defect is deep.)
- Canal locations
With all these, transillumination can improve patient understanding and acceptance of treatment plans.
Who should use transillumination?
Transillumination should be standard equipment in every opertory, and should be part of the standard diagnostic toolkit for every dentist and every hygienist. The DISCOVERLIGHT makes transillumination affordable. That's good news for your practice, and good news for your patients.
Why choose the DISCOVERLIGHT?
Some dentists use a curing light as a makeshift transilluminator. This is an unhealthy choice, as the extremely bright light is dangerous to the eyes. Some use the fiber-optic handpiece attached to their dental drills. This is good while it lasts, but the light tends to go out 10 seconds after the foot comes off the treadle. Some use dedicated transillumination units costing many thousands of dollars. At prices like that, can you afford one in every opertory?
The DISCOVERLIGHT is a purpose-built transilluminator. It provides focused, directed light at the ideal intensity for its intended use. And its low price makes it easy to add to your standard diagnostic toolkit. It's the instrument that pays for itself the first time you use it.
How does the DISCOVERLIGHT work?
It's simple. Just twist the tip to turn on the light, and twist it back to turn it off.
The base of the DISCOVERLIGHT is the famous MAGLITE, the world's brightest and most durable flashlight. The DISCOVERLIGHT 's patented light-conducting wand focuses and directs the light where it's needed.
Can the lamp be replaced?
Yes. A spare MAGLITE 2 cell AA/AAA lamp is included with every DISCOVERLIGHT.
How is the DISCOVERLIGHT powered?
The DISCOVERLIGHT uses two standard AAA alkaline batteries.
How is the DISCOVERLIGHT sterilized?
The DISCOVERLIGHT can be cold sterilized with a surface disinfectant after each use. It should not be heat sterilized.
The DISCOVERLIGHT can also be covered with the same type of sheath used for intra-oral cameras or wrapped with Saran during use. This will not interfere with its function.
