title: Effect of pit and fissure sealants on caries detection by a fluorescent camera system.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of sealant placement on the detection of caries by a fluorescent camera (FC), the Spectra caries detector.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a laboratory study, FC images and readings were obtained from 31 extracted teeth, before and following application of clear sealants (Shofu Clear or Delton unfilled), or opaque sealants (3M Clinpro or Delton FS). Teeth were then sectioned and examined for enamel or dentine caries. Using each tooth's true caries diagnosis, the sensitivity and specificity of the FC measurements in detecting dentine caries was calculated. In the clinical study, FC readings were obtained from 41 molars in children prior to and following application of clear sealants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Following application of Shofu or Delton unfilled there were reductions in the mean FC readings of 10% (p=0.5) and 8.2% (p=0.009), respectively. Application of two opaque sealants, 3M or Delton FS significantly reduced mean FC readings 16.2% and 20.8% (p<0.5), respectively. Although the carious lesions could still be observed in FC images from teeth with opaque sealants there was a significant loss of sensitivity in detecting dentinal caries. Clear sealant application caused an insignificant loss of detection sensitivity. Following application of clear sealants to children's molars there was a small (4.01%) but significant (p<0.01) reduction in FC readings recorded from these teeth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The FC can detect caries under clear sealants with little loss of sensitivity. Although lesions can be seen through opaque sealants, loss of sensitivity precludes accurate lesion assessment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Biology, New Jersey Dental School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ 07103, USA. markowkj@umdnj.edu
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Markowitz
authors.forename: Dalia
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rosenfeld
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Peikes
authors.forename: Gerald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Guzy
authors.forename: Glenn
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rosivack
mesh_terms: D000134:Acid Etching, Dental / Q000379:methods; D000328:Adult; D017438:Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate / Q000737:chemistry; D002648:Child; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000473:pathology; D003750:Dental Fissures / Q000175:diagnosis; D003804:Dentin / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry; D061848:Optical Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010756:Phosphoric Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D010781:Photography / Q000295:instrumentation; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants / Q000737:chemistry*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: C500418:Clinpro Sealant; D003188:Composite Resins; D010756:Phosphoric Acids; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants; D017438:Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate; C030242:phosphoric acid