Objectives: To evaluate a new differential fluorescence system (DFS) for detection and quantification of carious lesions in comparison with QLF. The imaging board of this system simultaneously captures two images of each surface, at different wavelengths (red-625nm and green-500nm). Images are then combined and processed with a special algorithm. Methods: Material comprised of 56 extracted teeth. The proximal surfaces were classified and numbered from 1 to 110. The teeth were examined macroscopically and photographed by a digital camera. DFS and QLF were used for registration of fluorescence images. Teeth were then prepared for histological and microradiographical measurements (TMR). Mineral content loss and depth profile (LD) were assessed with software (Inspector Research Systems BV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands). Integrated mineral loss (Δz) was evaluated only for enamel caries. Results: Validity and diagnostic accuracy of DFS and QLF were evaluated. The Spearman rank correlation coefficients between lesion depth and QLF and DFS were 0. 83 and 0. 79 respectively. The Pearson rank correlation coefficients between enamel mineral loss and DFS and QLF were 0.89 and 0.77, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity for DFS with respect to dentinal caries were 0.75 and 0.92, and for QLF were 0. 89 and 1, with a cut off value of 12.5 %. Conclusions: For smooth surface diagnosis, both methods are of equal merit in quantitative aspects. A closer correlation was found between QLF and mineral changes. The DFS system seems to be an appropriate diagnostic tool for caries detection and quantification. Further investigation should be undertaken for the adaptation of this system for clinical trial.

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