The benefits of early cavity detection at your Sunbury dental clinic

Smile in Style is more than just a dental clinic. We are your partners in oral health and overall wellness. As a holistic dental practice, we have a strong focus on prevention of all oral disease, including cavities. One of our goals is the early detection and treatment of oral health problems including gum disease and decay detection

Cavity Detection from dentist in Sunbury Dental Clinic

Why early detection makes a difference

Cavities often occur in pits in teeth where the enamel has eroded. If the tooth material surrounding the cavity is damaged, it must also be removed to prevent the spread of decay. By the time you see a cavity, the decay has already affected a significant part of the tooth. It’s a little bit like the spot you see on an apple. From the outside it looks like a spot but when you cut the apple open, it may be half rotten. Your tooth is the same. So what if your dentist could find the cavity even before it was visible? It could be treated while just a tiny bit of the enamel was diseased. Then very little of the tooth structure would need to be removed. That is precisely why we use DIAGNOdent technology for early diagnosis of tooth decay. We then use conservative restorative techniques such as use of the dental laser to remove the decay and preserve the healthy tooth structure.

How DIAGNOdent works

DIAGNOdent is a fast, painless, and non-invasive technique. The provider uses a handheld probe, which looks a bit like a pen, to check the health of teeth. It emits a gentle laser beam, at the precise wavelength of 655 nm. Why 655 nm? Healthy tooth enamel will look normal in this light. However, areas affected by decay will exhibit fluorescence (glowing). The more severe the disease, the more fluorescence is shown. This allows your dentist to detect and stop cavities before they develop.

The process is as comfortable and convenient as shining a flashlight on teeth. The DIADNOdent provides a reading for the dentist that indicates the level of decay in a tooth. Now your dentist can help you keep your smile healthy through the early detection of decay and stop cavities before they become visible, or painful.

If you are looking for preventative dental care; visit Smile in Style. You can call our Moonee Ponds office at 03 8400 4104 or our Sunbury office at 03 8001 6021 to schedule a consultation.

Back to Hygiene Dentistry Page


Share this Article




Smile In Style Dental office near Moonee Ponds and Sunbury

Why Choose Smile In Style
For the latest techniques in dentistry

Connect with Smile In Style


Throughout our site, you will find valuable information about our services that will help you get to know us better. It is our mission to create beautiful white healthy smiles using the latest technologies. Our experienced Dentists and staff aim for lifelong relationships with our patients, providing relevant dental education and continual care throughout life. Here, you can learn more about the various dental conditions that may develop and the ways in which we treat them.
Some of the services you can expect to find at Smile in Style include: Our goal is to work together with you to achieve your healthiest, most attractive smile, whilst ensuring your comfort and satisfaction.

Safe Amalgam Removal Protocol

  • Chlorella drink prior is given prior to treatment and a mouth rinse post-treatment. Chlorella can help bind and prevent mercury absorption.
  • Physical protective barriers - Masks, protective coverings, eyewear, in-mouth non-latex dental dams, and other steps are taken to prevent physical contact with mercury for the patient and staff.
  • Oral evacuation - Generous amounts of water are used to continuously rinse particulate matter from the mouth while suctioning it away. Combined with protective dental dams, this prevents patients from swallowing dental amalgam particles during treatment. Additionally, the rinsing helps lower the temperature of the filling, reducing the amount of mercury vapour released.
  • External air - A continuous supply of non-contaminated air or oxygen is delivered via a mask or similar apparatus, preventing inhalation of mercury vapour or particles.
  • "Chunk it out" method - Rather than using a drill to grind the filling down, it is carefully removed in the largest possible pieces, minimising friction, vaporisation.
  • High Volume Evacuation Suction is used by the dental assistant to remove amalgam particles in the mouth.
  • High Volume Air suction and Air Purifiers are used in the clinical room that is able to remove mercury vapour from the room.
  • Amalgam separator use - This device collects mercury-contaminated waste before it can enter the sewage system, allowing us to dispose of it safely.
Dr. Terry Rose Dr. Sally Fairbairn Dr. Helen Luo Dr. Meenakshi Rajcoomar Dr. Darshan Brar Dr. Jasdeep Kaur

Dr. Terry Rose

Dr. Terry Rose completed his Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the University of Otago, New Zealand. He then moved to Australia and founded Smile in Style in 1990. With over 25 years of orthodontic experience, Dr. Rose has been a Progressive Orthodontic Seminar instructor. He is an Accredited Biological Dentist certified in the SMART protocol through the IAOMT and completed the LA&HA Master’s Program in Laser Dentistry. In 2021, he was named an Advanced Instructor in dental lasers, and he continues to train dentists in laser and CEREC technology.

Cavity Detection from dentist in Sunbury Dental Clinic

Dr. Sally Fairbairn

Dr. Sally Fairbairn completed her Bachelor of Science before earning her Bachelor of Oral Health in Dentistry from Griffith University in 2011. She also earned a Graduate Diploma in Dentistry. Certified in Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART) by the IAOMT, she is expanding her expertise by pursuing accreditation as a Biological Dentist. Dr. Sally’s proficiency in biological dentistry and dedication to ongoing education have established her as a trusted dentist.

Dr. Helen Luo

Dr. Helen Luo graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the University of Otago, where she was recognised with a prize in Paediatric Dentistry. Since joining Smile In Style in 1998, she has gained extensive experience using CEREC for inlays, onlays, and crowns, as well as using the Dental Laser for both children and adults. Dr. Luo is also certified in the SMART technique by the IAOMT and offers advanced teeth whitening with the Kör system. She enjoys treating children as well as adults in the Sunbury surgery.

Dr. Meenakshi Rajcoomar

Dr. Meenakshi Rajcoomar graduated from the University of Melbourne and completed a residency in functional breathing and craniofacial pain. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Orthodontics from Progressive Orthodontic Seminars and is a Certified Clear Aligner Practitioner. A member of the IAOMT, Dr. Rajcoomar is SMART certified and completed an oral surgery course at the University of Melbourne. Her broad expertise and commitment to continuing education make her a well-rounded dental professional.

Dr. Darshan Brar

Dr. Darshan Brar earned her Bachelor of Dental Surgery in India in 2001 and obtained her Australian Dental Council Certificate in 2010. She is trained in Safe Amalgam Removal using the SMART Technique. She has an interest in Endodontics and same day inlays/onlays and crowns using CEREC. Dr. Brar’s commitment to continuing education ensures she stays current with the latest advancements in dental care, providing her patients with high-quality, modern treatment options.

Dr. Jasdeep Kaur

Dr. Jasdeep Kaur is an experienced general dentist who earned her Bachelor of Dentistry in India in 2012 and completed the Australian Dental Council Exam in 2017. She has experience working in regional Victoria with Community Health and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Dr. Kaur is skilled in the SMART technique for Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal and offers a range of cosmetic treatments, including full mouth restorations, teeth whitening, crowns, and bridges. She embraces modern technology and is committed to ongoing education to continue providing her patients with the highest level of care.