The tooth resistance measuring instrument was compared to the traditional method of the explorer examination for the detection of occlusal carious lesions. The findings of the instrument were more sensitive as compared to the traditional method when verified by a histological examination.
, to all of whom I wish to express my thanks for permission to study these patients and for advice. Dr. Constance Spittle provided frequent advice on bacteriology and antibiotics.
Electrical resistance of the tooth was measured through the dental pulp by a relatively simple method. The primary resistance is in the enamel, and the total resistance drops severalfold as dental caries develop. This resistance has been measured on the occlusal surfaces of 122 teeth of children. The differences between explorer categories showed statistically different resistance values (P greater than 0.9995, excluding the offscale sound-tooth category). After 3 to 4 months, 9 of the 32 teeth of the incipient caries category became obviously carious, while none of the caries-free teeth became carious.
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