Cavity Detection (Dexis CariVu™) in Lisle, IL
Catch a cavity sooner and you are looking at smaller fillings, less tooth removed, and a better long-term outcome. That is why Drs. Brammeier and Ericson reach for the Dexis CariVu™ at Brammeier Family Dental. Compact and portable, the device spots decay with near-infrared light and zero radiation. It ranks among the most patient-friendly diagnostic tools in modern dentistry, and it shines at catching cavities between teeth that X-rays can sometimes miss.
What it is
The Dexis CariVu is a compact, handheld device that transilluminates teeth with near-infrared (NIRI) light, turning enamel transparent and decay dark, all without any radiation whatsoever.
Who it's for
Every patient gains from CariVu's precision, and it is especially valuable for pregnant patients, children, anyone with dental anxiety, and those who want to keep radiation exposure to a minimum.
How we use it
Paired with traditional X-rays and a visual examination, CariVu gives Drs. Brammeier and Ericson the most complete picture of your tooth health and catches early-stage decay that might otherwise go undetected.
Find cavities sooner. Keep treatment smaller. No radiation required.
How Dexis CariVu Works
The technology behind CariVu is transillumination, the same principle physicians have relied on for decades to shine light through soft tissue. The device sends near-infrared light into the tooth structure, and because healthy enamel and dentin are fairly transparent to this wavelength of light, the light passes through and they appear bright in the resulting image.
Decay is a different story, since its organic material and mineral loss block or scatter the infrared light. Those areas turn distinctly dark against the bright background of healthy tooth structure, handing Drs. Brammeier and Ericson a clear, high-contrast view of problem areas.
What you end up with is a diagnostic image that looks remarkably like an X-ray, yet it is produced entirely without ionizing radiation.
What CariVu Can Detect
- Interproximal caries: Cavities between teeth, among the most common cavity sites and one where X-rays can sometimes understate how large the lesion really is
- Occlusal decay: Early-stage decay on the biting surfaces, sometimes spotted before the eye or an X-ray can pick it up
- Secondary caries: Fresh decay taking hold at the margins of existing fillings or restorations
- Cracks and fractures: Structural flaws in enamel that a routine examination might not reveal
- Early enamel lesions: Subsurface demineralization that hasn't yet broken through the outer enamel, the ideal stage for remineralization therapy
Safe for Every Patient
Zero Radiation
- CariVu relies on near-infrared light, the same spectrum found in TV remote controls and night-vision devices
- That near-infrared light is non-ionizing and poses no known health risks
- Because there is no cumulative radiation exposure, CariVu can be repeated as frequently as clinically needed
- Safe to use at every routine exam, not only when X-rays are scheduled
- Adds diagnostic information that complements radiographic imaging rather than replacing it
Ideal for Sensitive Patients
- Pregnant patients: Dental X-rays at diagnostic doses are considered safe during pregnancy, yet CariVu lets Drs. Brammeier and Ericson gather additional diagnostic information without any radiation at all
- Children: Growing patients can be watched for cavity development without adding to radiation exposure, which helps especially when high-risk areas need frequent monitoring
- Anxious patients: CariVu is simple and non-invasive (just a small device held near the tooth), so there is no discomfort and nothing to prepare for
- All patients: Every exam at Brammeier Family Dental gains the added confidence that CariVu provides
Better information makes for better care. Ask about CariVu at your next exam.
Why Early Detection Changes Everything
Tooth decay only progresses over time. Caught at its earliest stage, a small cavity can usually be handled with a minimal tooth-colored filling that keeps the vast majority of natural tooth structure intact. Leave that same cavity undetected for another year and it may demand a much larger filling, a crown, or even root canal therapy once it reaches the nerve.
Where CariVu really proves its worth is with interproximal cavities, the decay that takes hold in the tight contact areas between adjacent teeth. Such cavities are notoriously difficult to see and can appear smaller on X-ray than they actually are. Transillumination with CariVu gives Drs. Brammeier and Ericson a second, often more detailed view that improves diagnostic accuracy.
Spotting decay earlier means less drilling, less cost, and more of your natural tooth preserved for life. That is the value of CariVu at Brammeier Family Dental.
Benefits of Early Cavity Detection
- Smaller restorations that hold on to more natural tooth structure
- Lower treatment cost, since a small filling runs cheaper than a crown
- Shorter appointments that are easier to sit through
- A chance to remineralize the earliest lesions before any drilling is needed
- Lower odds of ever needing root canal therapy
- A stronger long-term outlook for the affected teeth
Frequently Asked Questions
No. CariVu works alongside dental X-rays rather than taking their place. The two tools see different things: X-rays reveal what is happening deeper in the mouth, including bone levels, root structure, and pathology beneath the gumline, while CariVu shines near-infrared light through the tooth to highlight decay in the enamel and between teeth without any radiation.
Because each tool has its own strengths, Drs. Brammeier and Ericson use them together to build the most complete diagnostic picture rather than relying on either one alone. You can learn more about our digital X-ray technology on our technology page.
Not at all. CariVu is entirely non-invasive and completely comfortable. The small handheld device simply rests against the side of your tooth for a few seconds while it captures the image, with no pressure, no poking, no suction, and nothing sharp involved.
There is also nothing to prepare for and no recovery afterward. For many patients, especially children and anyone who feels anxious in the dental chair, CariVu is one of the easiest parts of the visit; most barely notice it happening as part of their exam.
Yes. The near-infrared light CariVu uses is non-ionizing, meaning it carries none of the radiation associated with X-rays and poses no known health risk to a pregnant patient or a developing baby. It is the same category of light found in everyday devices like TV remotes and night-vision equipment.
This makes CariVu an excellent option during pregnancy, a time when it is sensible to avoid any radiation exposure that is not strictly necessary. With CariVu, Drs. Brammeier and Ericson can keep monitoring your teeth for decay and stay on top of any developing problems without waiting until after your baby arrives.
No diagnostic tool, CariVu included, catches every cavity with perfect accuracy, and any dentist who promised otherwise would be overstating things. What CariVu does exceptionally well is reveal decay between teeth and early enamel lesions that can be hard to see, adding information a visual exam alone might miss.
That is why Drs. Brammeier and Ericson use CariVu as part of a comprehensive approach rather than in isolation. Combined with a clinical examination and, when appropriate, traditional X-rays, CariVu helps build the most complete picture possible and gives your care team the best chance of detecting decay at its earliest, most treatable stages.
Drs. Brammeier and Ericson build CariVu into comprehensive exams at Brammeier Family Dental, using it wherever it adds useful information, such as checking the tight spots between teeth or keeping an eye on an area of concern. In many cases it is simply part of a thorough exam, working quietly alongside the visual check and any X-rays.
If you would like CariVu included specifically, or you are curious whether it was used on a particular tooth, just ask. We are always happy to explain which diagnostic tools we reached for during your appointment and what each one showed, so you leave understanding exactly how we arrived at your treatment plan.
CariVu is a detection tool Drs. Brammeier and Ericson use as part of a comprehensive exam, and it is non-invasive and uses no radiation. Whether it carries a separate charge is not the same for everyone; it can depend on the exam itself and on the details of your dental plan, since insurers handle diagnostic technology in different ways.
The best approach is simply to ask. Our team at our Lisle office is glad to explain any costs up front, before your appointment, so you always know what to expect. You can also find more about payment options and how we help make care affordable on our financing page.
Better detection. Safer care. See the difference advanced technology makes at {{ site.practiceName }}.