title: Impact of interocclusal contacts on infrared laser fluorescence in pits of sound first permanent molars in children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A device based on infrared laser fluorescence (IRLF) has become available as an adjunct for the diagnosis of dental caries.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to clarify the differences of IRLF readings in the mesial, central and distal occlusal pits of first permanent molars.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-four children (average age 8.0 years) were examined using IRLF. The mesial, central and distal pits of clinically healthy first permanent molars were measured. The instrument provides measurements in arbitrary units on an open-ended interval scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean (± SE) IRLF values in the mesial pits were 4.9 ± 0.4 (upper) and 6.5 ± 0.4 (lower) and were significantly lower than those in the central (8.8 ± 0.6 and 11.5 ± 0.9) and distal (9.6 ± 0.7 and 10.4 ± 0.8) pits in the maxilla and mandible. There was no significant difference between the right (7.3 ± 0.5, 9.4 ± 0.6) and left (8.2 ± 0.5, 9.5 ± 0.6) dental arches. IRLF measurements in the mesial pits of human first permanent sound molars were lower than the central and distal pits in children whose second molars had not erupted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The inherently higher IRLF values of some sites should not be misinterpreted and trigger early invasive treatment.
authors: Department of Preventive Dentistry and Dental Public Health, School of Dentistry, Aichi-Gakuin University, Nagoya, Japan. ichizo@dpc.aichi-gakuin.ac.jp
authors: Ichizo
authors: I
authors: Morita
authors: Kaoru
authors: K
authors: Nonoyama
authors: Takayo
authors: T
authors: Okamoto
authors: Haruo
authors: H
authors: Nakagaki
authors: Masami
authors: M
authors: Mukai
authors: Adrian
authors: A
authors: Lussi
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000175:diagnosis; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D005453:Fluorescence; D006801:Humans; D007259:Infrared Rays; D007834:Lasers; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible; D008437:Maxilla; D008963:Molar / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D019228:Tooth Crown / Q000033:anatomy & histology*