Use of Fluorescence-based methods to assess the caries activity on occlusal surfaces of primary molars

Author(s)

Tatiane Fernandes de Novaes

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Odontologia (FO/SDO)
• Defense date: 2013-06-04

Examining board members

Fausto Medeiros Mendes; Thiago Machado Ardenghi; Danilo Antonio Duarte; Mariana Minatel Braga Fraga; Jose Carlos Pettorossi Imparato

• Advisor: Fausto Medeiros Mendes

Abstract

The aim of this in vivo study was to evaluate the association of parameters obtained with fluorescence-based methods and the assessment of caries lesions activity in occlusal surfaces of primary molars, including the evaluation of red fluorescence emitted by the biofilm in this diagnosis process. Occlusal surfaces of 606 primary molars from 113 children aged 4-14 years were selected. The presence of biofilm, caries experience and the number of active lesions were evaluated. The presence of red fluorescent biofilm was also assessed by QLF (Quantitative Light-induced Fluorescence). After dental cleaning procedure, the green (F e Q) and red (R) fluorescence were evaluated with the QLF. The DIAGNOdent pen was also employed. For the first reference standard, all teeth were evaluated by 2 examiners using ICDAS associated with the caries activity assessment based on clinical characteristics of the lesions. For the second phase, 50 exfoliated or extracted primary molars were selected. Then, these teeth were sectioned and histologically validated by 2 examiners regarding depth and activity of the lesions; the latter using a pH detector dye. Multilevel linear regression analyses were carried out to compare the values of the fluorescence-based methods on the teeth classified by visual inspection as sound, with active or inactive lesions. Multilevel Poisson analysis evaluated the association of the parameters assessed by the fluorescencebased methods and explanatory variables. On the second phase, after obtaining the best cut-off points, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and area under ROC curve (Az) were calculated at three thresholds. The performance of the methods in detecting caries activity was evaluated by Diagnostic Odds Ratio (DOR), accuracy and Az values calculated. The reference methods presented good reproducibility, with kappa values higher than 0.86. The F and Q values obtained with QLF (green fluorescence) were higher in inactive than in active lesions, at cavitated and non-cavitated lesions. Using the DIAGNOdent pen in cavitated lesions, the evaluations of active and inactive lesions were significantly different. In general, the presence of visible biofilm on occlusal surfaces of primary molars and the R values of the teeth (red fluorescence obtained with the QLF) were significantly associated with caries activity. The visual inspection, DIAGNOdent pen and Q values demonstrated higher sensitivities in detecting initial enamel lesions. Considering dentine lesions, the QLF presented lower specificity than the visual inspection. The DOR and Az values were similar for all methods in distinguishing active and inactive caries lesions. In conclusion, although the QLF and DIAGNOdent pen perform well in assessing the caries activity lesions in primary molars, they do not present any advantage when compared to the visual inspection or to the simple evaluation of the presence of visible biofilm. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/16082-0 - Association between red fluorescence from dental biofilm and caries activity
• Grantee: Tatiane Fernandes de Novaes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate