title: Caries detection and diagnostics with near-infrared light transillumination: clinical experiences.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this paper was to present the function and potential of diagnosing caries lesions using a recently introduced near-infrared (NIR) transillumination technique (DIAGNOcam, KaVo).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 130 adolescents and adults with complete permanent dentition (age > 12). All patients underwent visual examination and, if necessary, bitewing radiographs. Proximal and occlusal surfaces, which had not yet been restored, were photographed by a NIR transillumination camera system using light with a wavelength of 780 nm rather than ionizing radiation. Of the study patients, 85 showed 127 proximal dentin caries lesions that were treated operatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A cross table shows the correlation of radiography and NIR transillumination. Based on our practical clinical experiences to date, a possible classifi cation of diagnosis is introduced. The main result of our study was that NIR light was able to visualize caries lesions on proximal and occlusal surfaces.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study suggests that NIR transillumination is a method that may help to avoid bitewing radiographs for diagnosis of caries in everyday clinical practice.
authors.forename: Friederike
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Söchtig
authors.forename: Reinhard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hickel
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kühnisch
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007259:Infrared Rays; D055815:Young Adult