title: Predicting caries by measuring its activity using quantitative light-induced fluorescence in vivo: a 2-year caries increment analysis.
abstract: The aim of this study was to analyse the predictive power of several clinical baseline parameters and the de-/remineralisation properties of in vivo etched sites measured with quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) for subsequent 2-year caries increment. At baseline, in 44 children (8.23 ± 1.5 years) two areas (diameter 2 mm) of the buccal surface of a primary posterior tooth were etched with 36% phosphoric acid gel for 1 and 4 min, respectively. The etched sites were analysed immediately after etching (ΔQ1) and 24 h (ΔQ2) later by QLF. Additionally, caries status (deft/DMFT and initial caries), approximal plaque, bleeding on probing, and the patient's current use of fluorides were recorded. In the 2-year follow-up, 29 children were re-assessed. After clinical examination, the caries increment was calculated (ΔDMFT) and correlated with the baseline clinical variables and the QLF readings. Results showed a significant positive correlation between ΔQ(1 min) and the ΔDMFT (r = 0.44, p = 0.02). The ΔDMFT was significantly correlated with the baseline deft (r = 0.56, p = 0.002), cavitated active caries lesions (r = 0.52, p = 0.003), and filled teeth (r = 0.53, p = 0.003). In a regression analysis the use of fluoridated salt (SC = -0.10) and fluoride gel (SC = -0.14) were negatively associated with ΔDMFT. In conclusion, these findings suggest that the demineralisation properties of the etched sites and the outcome of the 24-hour measurements with QLF are significantly associated with caries increment. Previous caries experience strongly correlated with caries increment in this group of children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Meller
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Santamaria
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Connert
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Splieth
mesh_terms: D000134:Acid Etching, Dental / Q000379:methods; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000473:pathology*; D003732:Dental Caries Activity Tests / Q000379:methods*; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000473:pathology; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D005260:Female; D005453:Fluorescence; D005459:Fluorides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005544:Forecasting; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010756:Phosphoric Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014089:Tooth Remineralization; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000473:pathology; D014100:Toothpastes / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D005782:Gels; D010756:Phosphoric Acids; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary; D014100:Toothpastes; C030242:phosphoric acid; D005459:Fluorides