What does transillumination primarily help to detect?

Transillumination is a diagnostic technique used in dentistry that involves passing light through a tooth. This method is especially effective in highlighting areas of dental caries (cavities). When the light is shone through the tooth structure, healthy enamel and dentin will allow light to pass through relatively uniformly. However, carious lesions will disrupt this light transmission, often causing dark shadows or areas on the tooth surface.

This ability to differentiate between healthy and decayed tissue is what makes transillumination a valuable tool in detecting caries, particularly in areas that may not be easily accessible for visual examination or radiographic analysis. Additionally, because it helps visualize changes in the tooth's internal structure, transillumination can sometimes reveal the extent and depth of carious lesions.

While intrinsic tooth coloration, pulp-stones, or hemorrhagic pulp may present with signs that can lead to a suspicion of their presence during a clinical examination, they are not typically the primary focus of transillumination. The primary advantage of using this technique lies in its effectiveness for identifying carious lesions that require intervention.