When using the DIAGNOdent pen, what would be a sign of a healthy tooth?

When using the DIAGNOdent pen, a sign of a healthy tooth would be a low reading on the device's scale. The DIAGNOdent pen uses laser fluorescence to detect caries in teeth. It assigns a numeric value to the health of the tooth, with a scale ranging from 0 to 99.

Here are the steps to use the DIAGNOdent pen:

1. The dentist will first calibrate the DIAGNOdent pen using a ceramic disk provided by the manufacturer. This ensures the device is working correctly.

2. The dentist will then clean the tooth surface to remove any plaque or debris. This is important as it can interfere with the reading.

3. The DIAGNOdent pen is then placed on the tooth surface. The device emits a laser and measures the fluorescence within the tooth's structure.

4. The device gives a reading. A healthy tooth will typically have a reading of around 10 or less.

5. If the reading is higher, it may indicate the presence of caries. The higher the number, the greater the decay.

So, a sign of a healthy tooth when using the DIAGNOdent pen would be a low reading on the device's scale, typically around 10 or less.