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The validity of laser fluorescence (LF) and near-infrared reflection (NIRR) in detecting early proximal cavities

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Abstract

Objectives

Diagnosing cavitated proximal lesions is important for therapeutic decisions. This clinical study aimed to determine the validity of laser fluorescence (LF) and near-infrared reflection (NIRR) techniques for detecting early proximal cavities.

Materials and methods

The study included 43 proximal surfaces in 15 females who had limited radiolucent lesions in their bitewing radiographs. The approximal areas of interest were assessed by DIAGNOdent Pen (LF) and the Proxi interchangeable head of VistaCam iX intraoral camera (NIRR). Finally, orthodontic separators were placed in the contact points to provide enough space between the teeth. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of diagnosing cavitated proximal surfaces were calculated for LF and NIRR against direct visual and tactile examination as the reference standard.

Results

On the basis of the reference standard, 34 surfaces (79.1%) were not cavitated, whereas 9 surfaces (20.9%) were cavitated and in need of restoration. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of LF were 44.4%, 61.8%, and 58%, and those of NIRR were 88.9%, 14.7%, and 30%, respectively.

Conclusions

The VistaCam iX Proxi was more sensitive and DIAGNOdent Pen was more specific in detection of proximal cavities. However, none of the techniques was accurate enough to be recommended as a sole approach for proximal caries detection.

Clinical relevance

LF showed an overall superior diagnostic performance to NIRR for diagnosing proximal cavitation in permanent posterior teeth. Within the limitations of this study, neither VistaCam iX Proxi nor DIAGNOdent Pen could be considered a suitable device for diagnosing proximal cavities.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the vice-chancellor for research of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences for the financial support of this project (grant number 941459). The results presented in this study have been taken from a student thesis (thesis number 2926).

Funding

The Vice-Chancellor for Research of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dental Research Center, School of Dentistry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Farzaneh Ahrari, Majid Akbari & Amir Fallahrastegar

  2. Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Melika Mohammadi

  3. Imam Reza Clinical Research Units, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Mona Najaf Najafi

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  1. Farzaneh Ahrari
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  2. Majid Akbari
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Correspondence to Farzaneh Ahrari.

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Ethical approval

The protocol of the study was reviewed and approved by the Ethics committee of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences.

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The procedure was explained in detail for all the patients, and signed consents were taken before the study commencement.

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Ahrari, F., Akbari, M., Mohammadi, M. et al. The validity of laser fluorescence (LF) and near-infrared reflection (NIRR) in detecting early proximal cavities. Clin Oral Invest 25, 4817–4824 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-021-03786-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-021-03786-y

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