Histological Validation of Electrical Resistance Measurements in the Diagnosis of Occlusal Caries

Abstract

Diagnosis of occlusal caries is difficult from visual and radiographic examination. The use of electrical resistance measurement has been described previously and reported to be a potentially sensitive alternative technique. This is possibly due to the decreased resistance of carious pits and fissures. The aim of this study was to validate a prototype electrical caries monitor for the diagnosis of caries in pits and fissures in vitro using a microfocal radiographic technique. Thirty discrete sites were investigated in 10 extracted molar teeth. Electrical resistance measurements were recorded at each site and thick sections (approximately 0.65 mm) prepared for microfocal radiography. Microfocal radiography indicated that six sites were sound, 10 had enamel caries and 14 dentine caries. At a resistance value of 2.2 MΩ, below which a site was regarded as carious and above which it was regarded as sound, electrical resistance measurements proved sensitive (92%) and specific (100%). Quantification of mineral content indicated that mineral loss in enamel may influence resistance measurement more than lesion depth.

Caries Detection Methods: Can They Aid Decision Making for Invasive Sealant Treatment?

“…Diagnostic performance a for occlusal caries detection related to sealant indication of three diagnostic systems expressed in sensitivity for dentinal caries (D3 threshold) and specificity for caries in enamel and dentine (D1 threshold) The cut-offs used are chosen to achieve maximum sensitivity for dentinal caries detection. [Huysmans et al, 1998;Ricketts et al,1996;Ricketts et al, 1997]. The sensitivity results for the Diagnodent are different from the first published report [Lussi et al, 1999].…”

“…Several methods for occlusal caries detection have been introduced in the past decades, with the aim of replacing or aiding traditional visual inspection. A method of aided visual inspection using a caries detector dye has been described, showing limited but positive results [Al-Sehaibany et al, 1996], and several quantitative methods have been introduced [Ricketts et al, 1996;Lussi et al, 1999].…”

Performance of laser fluorescence devices and visual examination for the detection of occlusal caries in permanent molars

“…The more demineralized the tissue, the lower the resistance becomes. Site-specific measurements have been evaluated in a number of in vitro studies [45][46][47][48] and in vivo studies. 49,50 Surface-specific electrical conductance measurements have been investigated under in vitro conditions, 51 which showed moderate sensitivity and specificity.…”

Okluzal Çürük Teşhi̇s Yöntemleri̇ne Güncel Bakiş

“…Elektriksel iletkenlik ölçümleri pit ve fissürlerdeki mine çürüklerinin iletkenliğindeki artış kullanılarak yapılır. 55 ECM kullanılarak yapılan çalışmalarda kabul edilebilir sonuçlar elde edilmiştir. Okluzal yüzeylerde duyarlılığının yüksek olduğu in vivo ve in vitro çalışmalarla bildirilmiştir.…”