Performance of laser fluorescence for detection of occlusal dentinal caries lesions in permanent molars: an in vivo study with total validation of the sample

Abstract

The objective of this in vivo study was to evaluate the performance of a laser fluorescence device in detecting dentinal caries in noncavitated occlusal surfaces. The sample included 102 first and second permanent molars, selected according to the criteria of Ekstrand et al. [Caries Res 1997;31:224-231]: 46 not suspected of having dentinal caries (score: 0-2) and 56 under suspicion (score: 3-4). Once measured by laser fluorescence, all were validated by fissurotomy (gold standard). To avoid ethical questions, the 46 teeth (score: 0-2) used were to serve as abutments for a fixed-fixed bridge. Visual inspection performed well, showing a sensitivity and specificity of 0.93 and 0.88, respectively. Laser fluorescence had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of A(z) = 0.85. The cutoff point with the highest sensitivity and specificity was 20, with a sensitivity and specificity of 0.89 and 0.75, respectively.