Dexis CariVu™
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
Better detection. Safer care. See the difference advanced technology makes at {{ site.practiceName }}.