Pilot clinical study to assess caries lesion activity using quantitative light-induced fluorescence during dehydration

Abstract

"Pilot clinical study to assess caries lesion activity using quantitative light-induced fluorescence during dehydration," J. Biomed. Opt. Abstract. This study aimed to evaluate the ability of quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) to assess caries lesion activity using visual examination (VE) as the gold standard. Twenty-four visible white spot lesions on buccal surfaces were examined from 23 children, ages 9 to 14 years. At baseline, the surface was hydrated with water, and thereafter, it was dehydrated with continuous compressed air during image acquisition. QLF images were acquired at 0 (baseline), 5, and 15 s. QLF variables [QLF V : fluorescence loss (ΔF), lesion size (S), ΔQ: ΔF × S] was recorded. Changes-in-QLF V per second (ΔQLF V ) were determined: ΔQLF V ¼ ðQLF VN − QLF VBaseline Þ∕N, where N indicates dehydration time. One experienced dentist conducted VE independently using a dental unit's light, compressed air, and explorer. QLF V and ΔQLF V of the active group (n ¼ 11) were compared with those of the inactive group (n ¼ 13) using two-sample t -tests. As the surface was dehydrated, S and ΔQ values of the active group increased, whereas QLF V of the inactive group showed only a small change. ΔQLF V of the active group were larger than those of the inactive group; however, the difference did not reach statistical significance (p > 0.11). Within the limitations of this study, QLF data indicated increments for lesions designated as active and minimal change for lesions defined as inactive.

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

“…The reliability of the criteria is comparable to that of other common caries lesion descriptors not involving activity assessment [de Amorim et al, 2012;Fereira Zandoná et al, 2012]. This is remarkable because "subjective" lesion assessment is sometimes considered unreliable because activity cannot be quantified [Ando et al, 2017].…”

Objective and quantitative assessment of caries lesion activity

“…This suggests that ΔQLFD during the first few seconds of dehydration by continuous compressed air might be able to differentiate between active (demineralizing) and inactive (remineralized) caries lesions at the time of examination. Pilot clinical study also revealed that QLF variables, such as lesion size and ΔQ, during dehydration indicated increments for lesions designated as active and minimal change for lesions defined as inactive [16].…”

“…Ra is the most commonly used surface roughness parameter. was determined based on previous studies [15,16]. Among the QLF variables [fluorescence loss (ΔF: %), area (mm 2 ) and ΔQ (%mm 2 )], ΔQ was chosen for analysis based on previous studies [16,20].…”

“…was determined based on previous studies [15,16]. Among the QLF variables [fluorescence loss (ΔF: %), area (mm 2 ) and ΔQ (%mm 2 )], ΔQ was chosen for analysis based on previous studies [16,20]. ΔQ (%mm 2 ) at 10 seconds (ΔQ10: %mm 2 ) and changes-in-ΔQ per second (ΔQD: %mm 2 /sec) at 5 (ΔQD5) and 10 seconds (ΔQD10) were obtained in the manner described by Ando et al [15].…”

Imaging of demineralized enamel in intact tooth by epidetected stimulated Raman scattering microscopy

“…To accurately diagnose dental caries and determine appropriate caries management/treatment, assessment of caries lesion activity is also important. 5,6 Caries lesion activity can be defined as follows: a caries lesion that is progressing (continuing to demineralize) is described as an active caries lesion; and a lesion that has stopped further progression (stagnant/remineralized) is referred to as an inactive or arrested caries lesion. 7 When caries lesions are in an active stage, demineralization continues, lesion depth increases, and the body of the lesion becomes more porous.…”