Objectives: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effectiveness in the diagnosis of caries lesions at the occlusal surfaces of permanent teeth between visual and fluorescent laser - DIAGNOdent - inspection. Methods: Sixty-six occlusal sites of 48 molars and premolars were assessed, by approaching these two methods, by ten observers, then, histopathological analysis was performed by means of a stereoscopic magnifying glass (40X) to validate the diagnosis results. Results: The values of effectiveness to diagnose caries lesion achieved by visual and fluorescent laser inspection were, respectively, 0.87 and 0.98 for sensibility, 0.38 and 0.00 for specificity, and, 0.81 and 0.91 for accuracy. The values to diagnose dentine caries were, respectively, 0.76 and 0.91 for sensibility, 0.45 and 0.39 for specificity, and, 0.61 and 0.64 for accuracy. The inter-observers agreement to detect dentine lesions was greater for DIAGNOdent method, which presented a substantial Kappa value (76%). Conclusions: It was concluded that both methods presented capability of caries diagnosis, regardless the site of histopathological section, however, fluorescent laser provided a greater amount of false-positive results. The visual inspection was better to diagnose sound occlusal sites. DIAGNOdent showed better reproducibility for dentine lesions, whereas the visual inspection showed less inter-observers agreement, this suggests a need for more accurate and standardized criteria by dental surgeons, so that a greater agreement may obtain to diagnose the real situation of caries dental disease.

Back to the Cariology Research Program
Back to the 81st General Session of the International Association for Dental Research (June 25-28, 2003)

Top Level Search