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Comparative Study
. 2025 Aug;75(4):100764.
doi: 10.1016/j.identj.2025.02.003. Epub 2025 May 6.

A Nanoparticle, Fluorescence-Based Rinse for Caries Activity Assessment, an in Vitro Study

Bruna Leticia Vessoni Menoncin  1 , Wendy Bloembergen  2 , Nathan Jones  2 , Adam Hoxie  3 , Matthew Finkelman  4 , Andrea Ferreira Zandona  5
Affiliations
Comparative Study

A Nanoparticle, Fluorescence-Based Rinse for Caries Activity Assessment, an in Vitro Study

Bruna Leticia Vessoni Menoncin et al. Int Dent J. 2025 Aug.

Abstract

Objectives: This in vitro study aimed to compare the agreement of a starch-based nanoparticle fluorescence rinse (FR) (LumiCare™ Caries Detection Rinse, GreenMark Biomedical Inc.) in the assessment of caries activity of initial smooth surface carious lesions with the International Caries Classification and Management System (ICCMS) Lesion Activity Assessment.

Methods: A convenience sample of permanent extracted human teeth (N = 57) were scored by visual assessment (VA) using the ICCMS activity criteria by 2 calibrated examiners. VA categories included: sound, inactive and active. For fluorescence assessment (FA), each tooth was fully immersed in FR for 30 seconds, rinsed with water for 10 seconds, compressed air dried and examined under an orange filter while illuminating with a curing light. Fluorescence was assessed as no fluorescence or fluorescence. Both VA and FA were repeated after at least 24 hours and Kappa was calculated for inter- and intra-examiner agreement.

Results: Based on VA, 12 teeth (21%) were classified into the active category, while 45 teeth (79%) were classified into the sound (n = 20) or inactive (n = 25) categories. When combining the latter 2 categories, VA and FA's classifications were concordant in 100% of cases (all 12 teeth in VA's active category exhibited fluorescence, and all 45 teeth in VA's sound/inactive category did not exhibit fluorescence according to FA; Kappa = 1).

Conclusion: FA with FR demonstrated perfect agreement with VA using ICCMS when comparing active versus inactive and/or sound surfaces suggesting it has potential as an objective indicator of caries activity.

Clinical significance: A fluorescence rinse could improve clinical detection of smooth surface caries activity and could easily be integrated as part of the dental hygiene appointment.

Keywords: Caries detection; Dental caries activity tests; Nanoparticles; fluorescence; sensitivity.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Dr. Zandona is a consultant for Greenmark. Drs. Wendy Bloembergen and Nathan Jones are employees of this company. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig. 1
Flowchart illustrating the selection process of the 59 teeth.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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