Aim. To determine the performance of the laser- fluorescence method in the detection of early occlusal dental caries extended below the enamel-dentine junction related to different cut-off values.
Materials and method. The in vivo study was performed on a sample group of 65 patients with 78 occlusal surfaces (molars) with enamel or dentine occlusal non-cavitated or microcavitary occlusal dental caries. The selected occlusal surfaces were examined by the ICDAS system (clinical exam) and the laser-fluorescence method (Diagnodent, KAVO), by a single examiner, with a 2 year-experience in the use of the ICDAS system and Diagnodent. The demineralisation depth was recorded after a minimal invasive intervention with a 330 bur. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the cut-off values 20, 25, 30, 35 were determined according to the demineralization depth of enamel/dentine recorded after the minimal operative intervention.
Results: The laser-fluorescence method, used to detect early occlusal dental caries extended below the enamel- dentine junction, gave the following sensitivity values: 0.93 for cut-off 20, 0.86 for cut-off 25, 0.69 for cut-off 30, 0.54 for cut-off 35, while the specificity values were: 0.80 for cut-off 25 and 1.00 for cut off 30 and 35. The accuracy of the diagnosis was 0.75 for cut-off 20, 0.83 for cut-off 25, 0.73 for cut-off 30, 0.60 for cut-off 35.
Conclusions: The highest accuracy (0.83) of the laser- fluorescence method was recorded for an optimal cut-off of 25. Significant statistical differences were found between the 25, on one side, and the 25 and 35 cut-off values, on the other.
- accuracy
- detection
- early occlusal dental caries
- laser- fluorescence -method