title: The use of fluorescein-enhanced quantitative light-induced fluorescence to monitor de- and re-mineralization of in vitro root caries.
abstract: The use of fluorescein-enhanced quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) in the detection of in vitro root caries demineralization and reminerlization was investigated. Fourteen previously extracted human premolar roots were selected and determined to be caries-free. Cementum was removed and nail varnish applied leaving an exposed window. Positive and negative controls were selected. During a demineralizing regimen, roots were removed at regular intervals (12, 48, 72 and 120 h) and immersed in sodium fluorescein (0.2 mg L(-1)). Following gentle rinsing, each root was examined using QLF before being returned to the demineralizing solution. Following 120 h, each tooth was sectioned through the lesion and one-half retained for transverse micro radiography (TMR) analysis. The remaining half were subjected to a remineralizing regimen undergoing the same fluorescein and QLF examinations at 7, 28 and 36 days. Results showed that QLF effectively monitored demineralization/remineralization of root dentine as represented by fluorescein penetration. TMR analysis showed good correlations with QLF (DeltaZ/DeltaQ) after demineralization (r = 0.89) and remineralization (r = 0.84). The technique could represent an in vivo method for root caries detection and classification.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Dental Sciences, Cariology Group, The University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK. ipretty@liv.ac.uk
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Pretty
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Ingram
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Agalamanyi
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Edgar
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Higham
mesh_terms: D001641:Bicuspid; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000175:diagnosis*; D019793:Fluorescein; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D014089:Tooth Remineralization
chemical_list: D019793:Fluorescein