title: Use of Diagnodent for diagnosis of non-cavitated occlusal dentin caries.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of a laser fluorescence device for detection of occlusal caries in permanent teeth. One hundred and ninety-nine non-cavitated teeth from 26 patients aged 10 to 13 years were selected. After dental prophylaxis, two previously calibrated dentists examined the teeth. Visual inspection, radiographic examination and laser measurements were performed under standardized conditions. The validation method was cavity preparation with a small cone-shaped diamond bur, when the two examiners agreed about the presence of dentin caries. It was found that the laser detection method produced high values of sensitivity (0.93) and specificity (0.75) and a moderate positive predictive value (0.63). The laser device showed the lowest value of likelihood ratio (3.68). Kappa coefficient showed good repeatability for all methods. Although the laser device had an acceptable performance, this equipment should be used as an adjunct method to visual inspection to avoid false positive results.
authors.affiliation: Restorative Dentistry, Dental School, Catholic University of Brasilia, Brasilia, DF, Brazil. anam@ucb.br
authors.forename: Ana Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Lilian Marly de
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Paula
authors.forename: Ana Cristina Barreto
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Bezerra
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D003737:Dental Cavity Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000473:pathology; D003750:Dental Fissures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D003804:Dentin / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D005453:Fluorescence; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D016300:Radiography, Bitewing; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014075:Tooth Discoloration / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology