Evaluation of different methods for monitoring incipient carious lesions in smooth surfaces under fluoride varnish therapy.
BACKGROUND
There are only a few studies relating visual inspection methods and laser fluorescence when monitoring regression of incipient carious lesions.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to monitor incipient carious lesions in smooth surfaces under varnish fluoride therapy using visual inspection methods and laser fluorescence (LF).


METHODS
Active white spot lesions (n = 111) in upper front teeth of 36 children were selected. The children were subjected to four or eight applications of fluoride varnish in weekly intervals. The visual systems were activity (A) and maximum dimension in millimetres (D). They were applied together with LF readings (L) in the beginning of the study (W1), in the 5th week (W5), and in the 9th (W9) week.


RESULTS
The mean (SD) of L values in W5 and W9 were 5.6 (3.8) and 4.5 (3.3), respectively; both were significantly different from the initial score of 7.4 (5.1) in W1. There was a positive correlation between D and L in W5 (r = 0.25) and W9 (r = 0.36; P < 0.05). The mean (SD) values of L were lower following the activity criteria.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings support the finding that incipient carious lesions in smooth surfaces under fluoride therapy can be monitored by laser fluorescence and visual inspection methods.
Postgraduation Program in Dentistry, Master Program in Preventive and Pedodontic Dentistry, Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, Brazil. jainara.s@ig.com.br
Jainara Maria Soares
JM
Ferreira
Milton Fernando Andrade
MF
Silva
Andressa Feitosa Bezerra
AF
Oliveira
Fábio Correia
FC
Sampaio
D002648:Child; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D003732:Dental Caries Activity Tests / Q000379:methods*; D005453:Fluorescence; D005460:Fluorides, Topical / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor; D010150:Paint; D012969:Sodium Fluoride / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D005460:Fluorides, Topical; C023807:sodium fluoride topical preparation; D012969:Sodium Fluoride