Caries detection dye: does it actually work? This is a topic in dentistry that has been discussed and debated at length for a number of years. As you're aware, there are many methods and tools to detect caries and therefore “many paths up the mountain.” What might work for some dentists might not work for others, simply as a matter of technique or preference.
For Dr. Lee Ann Brady of Glendale, AZ, caries detection dye works well, and she uses it as one of her diagnostic tools. The science behind it is simple, she says. Organic matrix of less mineralized dentin takes up the stain, so while healthy dentine is unaffected and retains its natural color, carious dentin appears discolored. Dr. Brady points out that dentin at the depth of the prep and close to the pulp often takes up the dye, resulting in a false positive result, and she acknowledges studies that have addressed the lack of specificity. Ultimately, however, the dye is just a tool, and she relies on her instinct.
“Despite our uncertainty at times, tactile and visual examination have proven to be effective modalities for accurate caries removal, so trust your senses,” she advises.
One of her tips for using caries detection dye is isolating the tooth well before placement. The dye is less accurate as the prep depth approaches the pulp and at the junction of the dentin and enamel, she explains, so you want to be able to place it and rinse away quickly and thoroughly.
Based on these comments, it seems like dentists can benefit from a product called Exposé, (shown above) a simple-to-use caries detector from Centrix that works by staining the by-products of carious lesions with an FD&C dye in a propylene glycol base. Instead of messy squeeze bottles or syringes, Exposé is pre-dried on a Benda Micro brush applicator that you simply touch to a wet tooth surface. There’s no drip or mess that can stain clothing or soft tissue.
Ideal for minimally invasive preps, Exposé allows you to identify and remove affected tooth structure, leaving healthy enamel and dentin. It’s available in 2 indicator colors, red or blue, each with its own advantages, according to Centrix. Red enables better visibility, so you can see stained dentin, it’s brighter and easier to see when light is reduced in the posterior, and it offers better color contrast on darker decayed preps. Blue makes it easier to see decay on dentin with actively bleeding preps, differentiate between decay and pulp in deep preps, and clearly see decay on preps where dentin decay is tooth-colored.
For added convenience, Centrix also offers the one-touch Benda Matic dispenser that delivers Benda Micro applicators one at a time, whenever you need one. Compatible with all single-ended Benda Micro Applicators, Benda Matic is easy to load and increases productivity while eliminating cross-contamination.
Learn more about these products at www.centrix.com.