Nyvad Criteria for Caries Lesion Activity and Severity Assessment: A Validated Approach for Clinical Management and Research

Abstract

The Nyvad classification is a visual-tactile caries classification system devised to enable the detection of the activity and severity of caries lesions with special focus on low-caries populations. The criteria behind the classification reflect the entire continuum of caries, ranging from clinically sound surfaces through noncavitated and microcavitated caries lesions in enamel, to frank cavitation into the dentin. Lesion activity at each severity stage is discriminated by differences in surface topography and lesion texture. The reliability of the Nyvad criteria is high to excellent when used by trained examiners in the primary and permanent dentitions. The Nyvad criteria have construct validity for lesion activity assessments because of their ability to reflect the well-known caries-controlling effect of fluoride. Predictive validity was demonstrated by showing that active noncavitated lesions are at higher risk of progressing to a cavity or filled state than do inactive noncavitated lesions. Lesion activity assessment performed successfully as a screening tool to identify individuals with a poor caries prognosis. Because of their predictive validity, the Nyvad criteria are superior to other current caries lesion descriptors for the detection of changes in the lesion activity status over time. The Nyvad criteria fulfill all the formal requirements for a robust caries lesion classification and are recommended for evidence-based caries management in clinical practice and in research.

The impact of oral health literacy and family cohesion on dental caries in early adolescence

“…Researchers with expertise in the field conducted the calibration process. The criteria proposed by Nyvad and Baelum (2018) were used for the diagnosis of dental caries. The training for the diagnosis of dental caries occurred in a theoretical step and a practical step, as proposed by Peres et al After theoretical discussions involving the criteria for the diagnosis of dental caries, 50 early adolescents were examined.…”

Prevalence of Hypersensitivity in Teeth Affected by Molar-Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH)

“…One examiner was extensively trained and calibrated to apply the Nyvad criteria [Nyvad and Baelum, 2018] for caries diagnosis and a new criterion proposed for the diagnosis of MIH [Cabral, 2017]. Firstly, theoretical explanations about both criteria were held.…”

Do undergraduate dental students perform well detecting and staging caries and assessing activity by visual examination? A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…In addition, Nyvad criteria have been proposed for differentiating lesion activity through condition of plaque stagnation. brightness/opacity and surface texture . Although LAA seems to overestimate the caries activity assessment of cavitated lesions compared to Nyvad, both criteria showed good association in caries activity assessment, since both take into consideration similar clinical characteristics.…”

“…brightness/opacity and surface texture. 38 Although LAA seems to overestimate the caries activity assessment of cavitated lesions compared to Nyvad, both criteria showed good association in caries activity assessment, 39 since both take into consideration similar clinical characteristics. Studies that investigated the undergraduate students' performance in assessing the caries activity status used clinical consensus as validation.…”