A STUDY ON THE EARLY DETECTION OF ENAMEL CARIES BY THE LUMINESCENCE EXCITED BY ARGON LASER

아르곤 레이저 광감각법의 법랑질 우식증 조기탐지 효과에 관한 연구

The aim of the present study was to describe an safe and convenient method for the early detection of enamel caries using laser fluorescence. Fluorescence from natually carious lesion of human teeth illuminated by an argon laser(488nm) was observed and photographed using barrier filter. Intact enamel was found to fluorescence with a yellowish light. Whereas, incipient caries lesions in the enamel were dearly visible as dark areas in contrast to the fluorescence surroundings. For evaluation of accuracy of this method, lesion depth measured by the laser fluorescence in light microscope was compared with that polarizing microscope. The results from the present study can be summarized as follows : 1. Enamel caries of smooth surface was observed as pale white spot and undefined outline in ordinary light. Whereas, lesion was clearly visible as dark spot in laser fluorescence. 2. There was no difference between ordinary light view and laser fluorescence in occlusal surface and interproximal surface. 3. There was no significant difference between the lesion depth observed by laser fluorescence with light microscope and polarizing microscope. Apparent correlation exists between two groups.