TESTIMONIALS
5950 Frederick Crossing Lane
Frederick, MD 21704
301-663-9484
familysmilecenter.biz
How long have you been using the Midwest Caries I.D.™ Handpiece?
Cha - Under 1 year
Mattson - 2 years
Attaway - 18 months
How often do you use a caries detection device in your practice?
Cha - 6 to 12 times/week
Mattson - Many times week
Attaway - 3 times/week
Would you recommend the Midwest Caries I.D.™ Handpiece to colleagues or contacts within the dental profession?
Cha - Absolutely
Mattson - Definitely
Attaway - Definitely
Number of Operatories
Cha - 8
Mattson - 8
Attaway - 8
Number of Hygienists
Cha - 2
Mattson - 2
Attaway - 3
Number of Dentist
Cha- 2
Mattson - 2
Attaway - 3
Number of Assistants
Cha - 5
Mattson - 4
Attaway - 6
How long in practice
Cha - Over 22 years
Mattson - 26 years
Attaway - 17 years
Type of dentistry practiced
Cha - General
Mattson - General
Attaway - General
See What Midwest Caries I.D.™ Users Are Saying
How does the Midwest Caries I.D.™ Handpiece compare to other detection methods such as an explorer, radiograph, others?
Cha - I think the Midwest Caries I.D. is another adjunct to the process of doing a full examination for a patient. The traditional methods of course we’re familiar with the explorer, and the x-ray, and visually inspecting and illuminating. All of those methods have some drawbacks and the Midwest Caries I.D. is able to then see beyond the surface and tell us what’s going on underneath. Radiographs don’t always tell us very small lesions you know whether it’s there or not and sometimes we’re left with very indecisive results and the Midwest Caries I.D. just gives us more information so that we can make a more decisive decision.
Attaway - It is a gentle method to use without introducing an x-ray holder that can be uncomfortable or using the pressure as with an explorer - it is a great adjunct.
What has the Midwest Caries I.D.™ Handpiece done for your practice?
Cha - I think Midwest Caries I.D. has removed some of the uncertainty that used to exist in our practice. Patients< would come in and we’d say – Mr. Jones we are going to schedule some sealants for you and but there is always a chance these sealants might turn into cavities; thereby we have to have a contingency and let them know it could cost more. And now we don’t have to do that we can just go straight ahead and say – you know we have a filling to do or no, we can go ahead with certainty and we can seal the teeth. And secondly, there’s times when I have surprised myself. I’ve looked at a tooth, I’d swear it looks fine and yet that Midwest Caries I.D. has told us otherwise. Then upon entry I am surprised to find that there’s lesions that the x-ray did not find, that my eyes did not find, that I could not find with the explorer.
Mattson - This device helps us speed diagnosis in cases undetectable with an explorer or radiograph. It prevents cases where we ultimately find caries that are much larger than we would like. These are the lesions that when excavated we think, “How did this get so large” as such, diagnosis and treatment go up.
In your time using the Midwest Caries I.D.™ Handpiece, what advantages have you found?
Cha - The Midwest Caries I.D. advantages. Well I know that we have tried a competitor’s product before. What I liked about the Midwest Caries I.D. is its convenience. It’s very easy to set up. Disinfection is simple. It’s able to detect interproximal caries that some of the competitors have not been able to do. So all in all, it offers a little more simplicity in its use.
Attaway - The patient is very receptive to the audio alert of caries detection.
Cha - There’s situations when we look and see slight discoloration in the enamel, nothing else whatsoever. But you know you get this hunch that – I bet there’s a cavity under there. Take the Midwest Caries I.D. out and lo and behold it says you are right Doc.
Attaway - Yes, it seems to identify lesions I may just “observed” without its confirmation.
How has the Midwest Caries I.D.™ Handpiece enhanced your preventive care?
Cha - Midwest Caries I.D. has greatly enhanced our preventive care program. Its able to give us early detection of lesions that otherwise would have been missed. I’m thoroughly convinced of that – we may have gone for one or two recall cycles before the lesion has progressed far enough that through traditional means we would have picked it up. Therefore, keeps our restorations very conservative and sometimes almost a sealant, a flowable composite is necessary. I know that – that restoration is going to hold up very, very well for the patient because of its conservative size.
Mattson - It allows us to be more accurate in our preventive diagnosis. We can accurately identify carious lesions often times earlier than with an explorer and radiograph alone.
Attaway - Most of the lesions it helps identify are ones that may be eliminated with the conservative air abrasion.
Do you have an example that you would like to share?
Cha - A patient had a positive finding of an interproximal lesion with the Midwest Caries I.D. The pre-op radiograph and photo show nothing. Only the Midwest Caries I.D. showed a finding. The photo taken during excavation of caries clearly showed an established lesion.
Attaway - There are always those patients who are a little skeptical about treatment recommendations. The Midwest Caries I.D. has helped solidify the diagnosis and remove any doubt those patients might have had.
Does your hygienist use the product? If so, how does the hygienist incorporate this in the routine?
Cha - Both our hygienists have a Midwest Caries I.D. and use it to distinguish if a tooth is sealable or need a filling. Mattson - They use it routinely as one of the tools and techniques available to them to diagnose decay.
Why did you buy this product?
Cha - The technology is definitely useful and Midwest Caries I.D. is more convenient and reliable to use.
Mattson - I was unhappy with the fragile nature of the tips on a competing product and their requirement to deal directly with the company instead of my dental dealer.
Attaway - To aid in early identification of lesions.