Comparing the reliability of a new fluorescence camera with conventional laser fluorescence devices in detecting caries lesions in occlusal and smooth surfaces of primary teeth

Abstract

The aims of this in vitro study were (1) to compare the reliability of a new fluorescence camera (FC; VistaProof) with that of two other laser fluorescence devices (DIAGNOdent and DIAGNOdent pen) in assessing smooth and occlusal caries lesions in primary teeth and (2) to determine the influence of the spacer, the protective cover and air drying on the FC readings. We selected 129 primary molars which were divided into two groups: smooth surfaces (n=68) and occlusal surfaces (n=61). Two trained examiners performed the evaluations using the FC and the other laser fluorescence devices separately. One examiner repeated all assessments after 1 week. Inter- and intraexaminer reproducibility was calculated from the absolute values derived from the devices using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman analysis. Pearson correlation was performed among the values obtained with the different devices. For aim 2, only teeth from the occlusal surface group were used. Another examiner performed measurements with the FC, varying the size of the spacer, the use of the plastic protective cover and the drying time (0, 3 and 15 s). Wilcoxon's test was used to compare these measurements. High values of interexaminer ICC were observed with the FC in both experiments. However, the highest intraexaminer ICC for smooth surfaces was found for the DIAGNOdent (ICC 0.918). A positive correlation between all methods was observed in both studies. Only drying for 15 s significantly increased the FC readings. In conclusion, the FC showed high reliability for occlusal and smooth surfaces, similar to the other fluorescence methods tested. Additionally, prolonged air drying increased the FC measurements.