Has anybody ever had this done to them to detect cavities?

I just went for a routine cleaning and the dentist used this tool after the cleaning and detected a cavity on one of my molars that already has sealant on it, and the cavity is inside between the sealant and the molar. So that means he has to drill off off the sealant, and he said the dreaded injection word while explaining this. Both the hygienist and the dentist said my teeth are healthy and would have never detected that cavity without this tool. I don't have any pain at all and don't like the prospect of getting drilled. They also talked about my wisdom teeth but that's another story.

My filling is scheduled for this Thursday.

Laser Cavity Detector
Dental cavities are often very sneaky, especially when they occur on the deeply ridged biting surfaces of the back teeth. Diagnosing these cavities can be challenging because the disease process can start through microscopic defects in the hard surface enamel, and then readily spread into the softer tooth structure beneath the surface. Meanwhile, the external surface of the tooth still appears to be healthy. X-rays and probing with a dental explorer are simply unreliable in detecting sub-surface decay, particularly when the cavity is in its early stages.

In our office, we employ the very latest diagnostic tool, a laser fluorescence cavity detector. This device is a pen-like probe that glides over the tooth structure and emits a thin stream of laser light. The electronic box connected to the probe measures the depth of penetration of the laser beam and a number scale and an alarm signals when there are signs of hidden decay. In this manner, we are able to detect decay in the very beginning stages. What's more, this technology is completely safe and pain-free.

What does this mean to you, the patient? Well first of all, it means that your dental cavities can be discovered when they are very small. We can excavate this minimal decay, usually with air abrasion instead of the drill, and usually without the need for anesthetic (novacaine). The resultant filling is much smaller and preserves more of your good tooth structure. So you will save tooth structure with no discomfort, you will save time, and you will save money.

are your wisdom teeth coming in? How old are you?

Go have it done. The laser cavity detector is more accurate than X-Rays. It will catch problems in the very early stages which is what you want.

Flip: My question is, what state R U in? U sound like U have a real top-DDS.
All that equip. in 1 ofc. sounds like a great place. I've been trying to find DDS
that uses the air-abrasion for last 2 yrs. My big ? is: why did U get a cavity
if U have a `sealant'? I thought they started frm the outside & that's why we
brush, floss & seal. All DDS's I've asked abt re: sealant have told me that
they only do kids & wears off in 6 mo. So did the sealant crack allowing some
particles to get in? Does this sealant have a name & how long does it last?

are your wisdom teeth coming in? How old are you?
I'm 30. My wisdom teeth are still in the gums and doesn't seem like they are coming out anytime soon. The dentist talked about taking them out but since I haven't had problems with them then he just said he'll leave them alone. I just wonder if I left them alone can they give me serious problems without any symptoms for me to detect. I have never had problems with them, I've never even thought about them until the dentist visit.

Thanks for the advice dony45. Yes, I was having seconds thoughts about the reliability of that device and me never having problems with my teeth. Basically I wouldn't be so apprehensive if I didn't have that sealant already; the cleaning of the cavity would be easier, probably wouldn't need drilling. As it is the sealant has to be removed through drilling...the thing that gets me is that sealant was suppose to prevent it.

Murphy, I live in TX. I got the sealants on my teeth when I was a teenager. They have lasted me this long and and have had no problems with them at all. They still seem intact and no cracks at all from looking at them and feeling them. That's why I was skeptical when the dentist used that tool and found one of my molars with the sealant having cavity.

I guess I should note that this is my first dentist visit in about 2 years (I was without dental coverage for a while), and I met this dentist for the first time...my parents recommended him. But I've always had good visits with no issues except cleaning some tartar off and this one was no different until he used that tool.