Performance of methods of occlusal caries detection in permanent teeth under clinical and laboratory conditions.
OBJECTIVE
To compare performance of visual inspection and Laser fluorescence methods to detect occlusal caries lesions under clinical and laboratory conditions in permanent teeth.


METHODS
One hundred and ten sites in 57 third molars scheduled for extraction were examined with visual inspection and laser fluorescence (DIAGNOdent) device by two trained examiners. After the extraction, teeth were re-examined. Then, teeth were sectioned to perform histological validation. Best cut-off points were calculated with ROC analysis, and sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were calculated at D2 and D3 thresholds. Comparisons between the methods and conditions of examination were performed using McNemar test. Inter-examiner agreement in the same conditions and agreement between the methods performed in vivo and in vitro conditions were assessed by Kappa test. Laser fluorescence values obtained in two conditions were compared with Wilcoxon test.


RESULTS
No difference was observed with visual inspection in both conditions. Laser fluorescence performed in vitro presented higher specificity and accuracy at D3 threshold. Visual inspection showed higher reproducibility. After adjustment of cut-off points for laser fluorescence method, there was no difference between the evaluated parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
Only slightly differences were observed between the examinations performed under clinical and laboratory conditions in the detection of occlusal caries lesions in permanent teeth.
Reis
Alessandra
A
Department of Dental Materials and Operative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Universidade do Oeste de Santa Catarina, Rua Getúlio Vargas, 2225 Joacaba, SC, Brazil.
Mendes
Fausto Medeiros
FM
Angnes
Vivian
V
Angnes
Gisele
G
Grande
Rosa Helena Miranda
RH
Loguercio
Alessandro Dourado
AD
D000328:Adult; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005453:Fluorescence; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D008964:Molar, Third