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Accuracy of pen‐type laser fluorescence device and radiographic methods in detecting approximal carious lesions in primary teeth – an in vivo study
Author(s) -
Souza Luana Alves de,
Cancio Viviane,
Tostes Mônica Almeida
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
international journal of paediatric dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.183
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1365-263X
pISSN - 0960-7439
DOI - 10.1111/ipd.12399
Subject(s) - medicine , molar , dentistry , radiography , diagnostic accuracy , digital radiography , orthodontics , nuclear medicine , radiology
Background The diagnosis of approximal lesions is limited due to the difficulty of direct examination of these areas. Aim To determine the accuracy of pen‐type laser fluorescence ( LF pen) device, compared to digital bitewing ( BW ) radiography, in diagnosing approximal carious lesions in posterior primary teeth at cavitation and non‐cavitation thresholds. Design A total of 46 children (aged 3–9 years) were assessed and 195 approximal surfaces of 184 primary molars were examined by digital BW and LF pen. Visual‐tactile inspection based on the International Caries Detection and Assessment System ( ICDAS ‐ II ) was used as the reference standard. All examinations were performed by the same examiner. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were calculated. Spearman's correlation coefficients were calculated between LF pen and BW readings and the reference standard. Results Sensitivity, specificity and AUC were 81.8, 86.7, and 0.84 for BW and 49.1, 87.9, and 0.69 for LF pen both at non‐cavitation thresholds. At cavitation thresholds, BW showed higher specificity (96.0), sensitivity (93.0), and AUC (0.98) than did LF pen (72.0, 86.9, and 0.82, respectively), but a lower correlation was indicated by LF pen readings. Conclusion Bitewing had a better diagnostic accuracy and significantly outperformed LF pen in the detection of non‐cavitated lesions. Similar results were obtained by the two methods at the cavitation threshold.