Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the clinical performance of a laser fluorescence device in detecting enamel caries in non-cavitated occlusal surfaces.
METHODS
The sample included 96 first and second permanent molars, selected according to the criteria of Ekstrand: 44 not suspected of having dentin caries (score: 0-2) and 52 under suspicion (score: 3-4). Once measured by laser fluorescence, all teeth were validated by fissurotomy (gold standard). To avoid ethical questions, the 44 teeth (score: 0-2) used were to serve as abutments for a fixed dental prostheses. Following fissurotomy, the 52 teeth with suspected caries were treated with resin composite restorations. Kruskall-Wallis statistical analysis (P<0.05) was used.
RESULTS
Laser fluorescence showed an area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve of Az = 0.803 for enamel caries. The cut-off point with the highest sensitivity and specificity was 15, with a sensitivity and specificity of 0.97 and 0.63, respectively. Values under 10 indicated healthy teeth.

Authors

Abalos C, Mendoza A, Jimenez-Planas A, Guerrero E, Chaparro A, Garcia-Godoy F

Institution

Department of Dental Pathology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Seville, Seville, Spain. cabalos@us.es

Source

American journal of dentistry 25:1 2012 Feb pg 44-8

MeSH

Adult
Area Under Curve
Composite Resins
Dental Abutments
Dental Caries
Dental Enamel
Dental Fissures
Dental Materials
Dentin
Fluorescence
Hardness
Humans
Lasers
Molar
ROC Curve
Sensitivity and Specificity
Tooth Discoloration
Young Adult

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Validation Studies

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22558692