In-Vitro Comparison of The Validity and Reproducibility of Laser Fluorescence and Electrical Method in the Diagnosis of Initial Occlusal Caries

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Diagnosis of early occlusal caries lesions allows treatment with preventive treatments or minimally invasive approaches. For this reason, new caries diagnostic methods using laser fluorescence and electrical systems have been developed as an alternative to conventional caries diagnosis methods (visual, tactile and radiographic). The aim of this study was to compare the validity and reproducibility of the laser fluorescence system (DIAGNOdent Pen, KaVo, Germany) and the electrical system (ECM IV Lode, Groningen, The Netherlands) in the diagnosis of initial occlusal caries lesions METHODS: Our study was performed on 80 premolar teeth that were macroscopically extracted due to periodontal or orthodontic reasons. Two dental practitioners evaluated the points on the occlusal surfaces using DIAGNOdent Pen and ECM IV. The same procedure was repeated after 1 week. The teeth were examined by an independent dentist and histology specialist. Weighted kappa values were calculated statistically. RESULTS: Both diagnostic methods demonstrated good compatibility with histology, whereas DIAGNOdent Pen's intra-observer reproducibility (observer 1 κw: 0,751; observer 2 κw: 0,711) and inter-observer reproducibility (observation 1 κw: 0,643; observation 2 κw: 0,619) was found to be higher than ECM IV‘s intra-observers reprocubility (Observer 1 κw: 0,635, observer 2 κw: 0,681) and inter-observer reprodubility (Observation 1 κw: 0,632; Observation 2: κw: 0,603). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Laser fluorescence and electrical system can be used as an alternative to conventional methods in clinical and epidemiological studies to give valid and reproducibly results in the diagnosis of occlusal caries.

Keywords

• occlusal caries
• laser fluorescence system
• reproducibility