Evaluation of diagnosis accuracy in minimal carious lesions

The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of visual-tactile inspection (VTI) and laser fluorescence (LF) in detection of initial carious lesions on occlusal surfaces. Total of 120 premolars and molars, without any macroscopic cavitation on occlusal surface, planed to be extracted for orthodontic, prosthetic or surgical reasons, were included in this study. The agreement between histological diagnosis and diagnostic and treatment decisions of evaluated methods was assessed. The obtained results showed that specificities and sensitivities were for VTI=83 and 36%, and LF-77 and 96%. The percentage of correct treatment decisions were: VTI=54% and LF-80%. Diagnosing caries was significantly dependent on the fissure morphology and LF showed statistically better results than VTI. It can be concluded that laser fluorescence was significantly efficient and more accurate in diagnosing initial carious lesions on occlusal surfaces