TRANSILLUMINATION: THE “LIGHT DETECTOR”

Transillumination is the technique of sample illumination by transmission of light through the sample. Transillumination is used in a variety of methods of imaging.

Transillumination can be a useful diagnostic tool for identifying cracked teeth. As the light passes through the enamel, a crack will diffract the light and make the crack visible .

Diagnosis Versus Detection
Identification of cracked teeth may occur by visual inspection with the unaided eye, although many time diagnostic tests must be used to detect the crack. Removal of restorations and revisualization may be necessary, although most cracks occur in teeth with no or minimal restorations.

The Use of Transillumination to Detect Cracks in Teeth

Transillumination is the detection method that provides the most information, and easily and graphically represents whether a crack is present. It is based on a law of physics, namely that a beam of light will continue to penetrate through a substance until is meets a space, after which the light beam is reflected.This results in a light and a dark area of the tooth separated by the fracture line.

Sources of light other than from the transilluminator (i.e., overhead lighting and operatory lighting)
should not be used. A dental mirror must be used to evaluate whether a fracture is present. A dental
(surgical) operating microscope is useful, particularly by turning off the light source and using only
magnification along with the dental mirror and transilluminator.

Transillumination of teeth to detect the presence of cracks should be performed in all of the following instances:
• On the marginal ridges,
• Floor of the cavity preparation
• The pulpal floor after endodontic access preparation
• Accessible proximal surfaces
• During surgical flap reflection procedures

This may be an important tool to help you identify a cracked tooth. Accurate pulpal and periapical diagnostics are most important to determine if endodontic therapy is needed before a crown is placed.
Transillumination helps the patient to see the stresses that the tooth is under and realize the importance of coronal coverage.

Transillumination is particularly beneficial when performed after restorations are removed. Many fractures are not visualized without transillumination. The more transillumination is performed, the more fractures will be identified.

SOURCE : World wide web , ENDO BLOG.

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