Performance of a new laser fluorescence device for the detection of occlusal caries in vitro.
The new device DIAGNOdent pen based on red laser light induced fluorescence was introduced for the detection of approximal and occlusal caries. The aim of this study was to test its performance on occlusal surfaces. The new device comes with two different sapphire fibre tips: a cylindrical tip and a conical tip. The two new sapphire fibre tips were used and compared with the tip currently available with DIAGNOdent (DD).


METHODS
The teeth were selected from a pool of extracted permanent human molars, which were stored frozen at -20 degrees C, until use. Prior to being measured the teeth were defrosted and cleaned. One hundred and nineteen teeth were selected and measured with the old tip and with the two new tips of the new device by two independent assessments. The teeth were histologically prepared and assessed for caries extension.


RESULTS
Specificity values for D(1), D(2) and D(3) ranged between 0.69 and 0.89, sensitivity between 0.78 and 0.96. There were no statistically significant differences obtained between the two tips of the new and the one tip of the old device (p>0.05). Intra-examiner reliability with kappa values of >0.83 was high.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, the new laser fluorescence device performed on occlusal surfaces as well as the available device.
Lussi
A
A
Department of Operative, Preventive and Paediatric Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Berne, Switzerland. adrian.lussi@zmk.unibe.ch <adrian.lussi@zmk.unibe.ch>
Hellwig
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000537:Aluminum Oxide; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000473:pathology; D003750:Dental Fissures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D004867:Equipment Design; D005453:Fluorescence; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D008853:Microscopy; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000473:pathology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D019228:Tooth Crown / Q000473:pathology
D000537:Aluminum Oxide