The transilluminator is a special device that looks for hidden cavities and tooth fractures, which are often missed during visual or tactile exams or X-rays. Fiber-optic transillumination (FOTI) refers to light transmission through tissues of the oral cavity. This bright light can illuminate translucent tooth structure and reveal changes in color as well as cracks, fractures and other tooth defects.
FOTI is a supplemental diagnostic tool that does not require digital support. Simply by shining a bright light on translucent oral tissues and teeth, we can improve our ability to achieve correct diagnoses. FOTI also gives us an additional treatment tool. It can be used to:
