title: In vitro evaluation of the efficacy of laser fluorescence (DIAGNOdent) to detect demineralization and remineralization of smooth enamel lesions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Early detection of smooth surface lesions is important for appropriate management and monitoring of dental caries. The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the efficacy of laser fluorescence to detect demineralization and remineralization of smooth enamel surfaces.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this in vitro study, 132 enamel blocks of semi-impacted human third molars were obtained; artificial caries lesions were induced and they were submitted to the pH-cycling process to create remineralization. Superficial microhardness (SMH) and laser fluorescence (LF) analysis were performed at baseline, after demineralization, and remineralization processes. The data were analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS)-16 using analysis of variance (ANOVA), Paired samples t-test, and Pearson's correlation test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant difference between SMH values at baseline, after demineralization and after remineralization. Also, a statistically significant difference was observed between LF values in these three stages. The LF values increased after demineralization and then decreased after remineralization, and the SMH values decreased after demineralization and increased after remineralization. There was an inverse relationship between SMH and LF only at baseline and after demineralization, but not after remineralization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results showed that LF is an appropriate method for detection of demineralization in an in vitro condition in smooth enamel lesions, but it was not so efficient in the detection of remineralization.
authors: Department of Pedodontics, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Yazd, Iran.
authors: Zahra
authors: Z
authors: Bahrololoomi
authors: Seyed Ahmad
authors: SA
authors: Musavi
authors: Mona
authors: M
authors: Kabudan
keywords: DIAGNOdent; Demineralization; SMH; enamel; laser fluorescence; remineralization; smooth surfaces
references: J Conserv Dent. 2009 Jul;12(3):87-100
references: 20543914
references: Lasers Med Sci. 2009 May;24(3):295-300
references: 18311473
references: Am J Dent. 2003 Apr;16(2):91-5
references: 12797565
references: Caries Res. 2001 Jan-Feb;35(1):21-6
references: 11125192
references: Photomed Laser Surg. 2009 Feb;27(1):57-61
references: 19182974
references: J Dent. 2009 Oct;37(10):786-90
references: 19595495
references: J Oral Rehabil. 2004 Sep;31(9):895-9
references: 15369472
references: Lasers Med Sci. 2011 Mar;26(2):171-8
references: 20221781
references: Caries Res. 2009;43(4):302-7
references: 19439952
references: Caries Res. 2003 Nov-Dec;37(6):442-4
references: 14571123
references: Caries Res. 2002 Jan-Feb;36(1):19-24
references: 11961325
references: Quintessence Int. 2005 Mar;36(3):183-9
references: 15887503
references: Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2005 Aug;33(4):265-73
references: 16008633
references: J Appl Oral Sci. 2010 Jul-Aug;18(4):316-34
references: 20835565
references: J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2008 Spring;32(3):201-6
references: 18524269
references: J Conserv Dent. 2008 Apr;11(2):63-70
references: 20142887
references: J Dent Child (Chic). 2004 May-Aug;71(2):139-42
references: 15587097
references: J Dent. 2005 Jan;33(1):79-84
references: 15652172
references: J Dent Res. 2004;83 Spec No C:C48-52
references: 15286122
references: J Dent. 2007 Aug;35(8):679-82
references: 17614190
references: J Dent. 2006 Nov;34(10):727-39
references: 16901606
references: Oral Health Prev Dent. 2006;4(2):145-50
references: 16813144
references: J Dent. 2010 Aug;38(8):666-70
references: 20470856