Performance of fluorescence-based methods for detecting and quantifying smooth-surface caries lesions in primary teeth: an in vitro study

Abstract

Background: Although smooth-surface caries can be subjectively assessed by visual inspection, quantitative methods would improve the monitoring of these lesions.

Aim: To evaluate the in vitro performance of laser fluorescence devices, namely DIAGNOdent (LF) and DIAGNOdent pen (LFpen), and a fluorescence camera (VistaProof; FC) in the detection and quantification of smooth-surface caries in primary teeth.

Design: Two examiners evaluated 99 smooth surfaces of 65 extracted primary molars using FC, LF, and LFpen. As a reference standard, the actual and relative lesion depths were determined using stereomicroscopy and polarized light microscopy. Reproducibilities were assessed, and correlation analyses were performed. The sensitivities, specificities, and accuracies of the methods were calculated and compared.

Results: There was a significant correlation between the values obtained using the fluorescence-based devices and the actual and relative lesion depths, although the correlation coefficient values were not higher than 0.7 (LF, 0.673; LFpen, 0.646; FC, 0.663). The sensitivities of the devices were similar for the detection of enamel caries, although LFpen was superior in detecting dentin lesions. The reliabilities of all methods were moderate to low, with similar accuracies at all depths.

Conclusion: Although the fluorescence-based devices showed similar performance in the detection of enamel and dentin lesions, the reliability of these devices and the correlation of their findings with the actual and relative lesion depths were moderate with regard to smooth-surface caries in primary molars.