• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.183-191
• /
• 2007

Through out the world dental caries seems to be decreased as it is difficult to make an accurate diagnosis for dental caries. The traditional diagnostic method which is probing and x-ray taking has many limitations to diagnose the early caries, so there were recommendations for the needs of new equipments such as laser fluorescence(LF), digital imaging fiber-optic trans-illumination(DIFOTI), and quantitative light fluorescence (QLF) which were developed from various study results. Also confocal laser scanning microscopy(CLSM) and ultrasonics are used for research progression. This study is to evaluate whether it is possible to monitor accurately for remineralization amount of enamel surface early caries using DIFOTI or LF After inducing artificial caries to bovine teeth to 10 participants remineralization was enhanced by 0 ppm and 500 ppm fluoride mouth rinse solution for 3 weeks. Then they were cross sectioned and analyzed using gold standard of the lesion depth measured by CLSM. The following results were obtained: 1. The measured percentage of light intensity(luminosity ratio) by DIFOTI increased with remineralization period, and showed significant reverse correlation with lesion depth measured by CLSM (p<0.01). 2. The measurement of laser fluorescence increased with remineralization period, and showed significant correlation with lesion depth measured by CLSM (p<0.01). 3. To the result for CLSM, 500 ppm fluoride mouth rinse group showed rapid rate for decreased tendency of lesion depth than 0 ppm fluoride mouth rinse group. In conclusion DIFOTI system was used to measure accurately for the remineralization amount of early surface caries, it is a very useful equipment to detect precisely the changes for early enamel caries remineralization during treatments.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.169-179
• /
• 2000

The purpose of this study is to develop the system which convert the optical difference of teeth texture between intact enamel and incipient caries lesion into shade difference by laser fluorescence and to develop new and simple caries activity test using laser fluorescence. The experimental design of this study consists of three parts. In first part, a new method for the in vitro assessment of changes in initial enamel caries lesion of Bovine teeth using laser fluorescence is tested. In second part, in vivo assessment undertaken. Number of teeth which showed incipient carious lesion on buccal surface examined by laser fluorescence was compared with the caries activity test of $Cariescreen^{(R)}$ test and other oral environmental test of dDfFtT. In third part, new caries activity test measured by laser fluorescence was developed on the basis of above results and evaluated the sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic power. Optical density measured by laser fluorescence was increased as increasing the depth of incipient carious lesion and showed high correlation$(\gamma=0.7015)$ with lesion depth. Optical density showed direct proportion to lesion depth. Linear equation was obtained between the optical density and the lesion depth by regression analysis. The result of caries activity test with laser fluorescence showed high correlation with those of $Cariescreen^{(R)}$ test and dDfFtT examination. Caries activity test with laser fluorescence showed 48% of sensitivity, 52% of specificity, and 45% of diagnostic power on the basis of dDfFtT examination, and also showed 48% of sensitivity, 51% of specificity, and 36% of diagnostic power on the basis of $Cariescreen^{(R)}$ test. In regard above result, caries activity test with laser fluorescence considered to be reliable for caries activity test compared with other oral environmental test. and it was also considered to be practical because it would be simple, inexpensive, and time saving method.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• /
• v.43 no.4
• /
• pp.382-390
• /
• 2016

Since it is favorable to include the incipient caries lesion in the diagnostic criteria in adolescence, this study had surveyed dental caries status of adolescents at ages of 13 and 16 by using WHO basic methods and ICDAS-II codes. In this study, mean DMFT index was 3.71, and mean DT index was 1.94. For both indices, the age 16 group showed higher values than the age 13 group. By groups of teeth, DMFT index and DT index exhibited highest to the lowest values in molar, premolar, and anterior teeth, respectively. 77.46% of total numbers of teeth were classified as code 0 in ICDAS-II. Compared to anterior teeth, numbers of decayed teeth were increased in posterior teeth. All caries lesions in anterior teeth and premolars were limited to enamel. ICDAS-II code is an useful method to detect the incipient caries lesion, allowing preventive control on caries management.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.189-195
• /
• 2003

The objective of this study is to improve the optical sensitivity of laser fluorescence for detection of incipient enamel caries. An incipient carious lesion was formed in various stages by placing an enamel specimen of a bovine tooth in STPP demineralization solution. After measuring the optical density of the lesion surface by laser fluorescence induced by argon laser and various alter of yellow(500-520nm), amber(520-540nm), orange(540-560nm), and red(560-580nm), the specimen was cut vertically to measure the depth of the lesion using a polarizing microscope. SAS statistical program was used to analyze the relationship between the optical density of the lesion suface and the depth of the lesion. The results were as follows: 1. The optical density of early carious lesion, measured by laser fluorescence with amber and orange filter, and lesion depth observed by polarizing microscope, were increased as demineralization time increased. 2. The correlation coefficient between optical density of the lesion surface and the histological depth of the lesion was the highest in orange filter(r=0.49), followed by amber(r=0.32), yellow(r=0.13) and red(0.01). 3. Regression analysis showed that the most linear relationship between the optical density and the lesion depth was existed in orange filter group. In regard above results, laser fluorescence could be considered to be reliable for optical diagnosis of dental caries.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• v.49 no.2
• /
• pp.97-102
• /
• 2019

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different spatial resolutions of a photostimulable phosphor plate (PSP) radiography system on the detection of proximal caries lesions. Materials and Methods: Forty-five extracted human permanent teeth were radiographed using a PSP system (VistaScan Perio Plus) and scanned at the 4 resolutions (10 lp/mm, 20 lp/mm, 25 lp/mm, and 40 lp/mm) available in the system. Three independent examiners scored the images for the presence and absence of proximal caries lesions using a 5-point scale. The presence or absence of caries was confirmed by histological sections of the examined teeth (defined as the gold standard). Intra- and inter-observer reproducibility was calculated by the weighted kappa test. One-way analysis of variance with the post hoc Tukey test was used to compare the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the classifications made with each resolution. Results: For the detection of enamel lesions, the spatial resolution of 10 lp/mm was significantly superior to the other resolutions. However, the spatial resolution did not affect the detection of caries lesions in dentin (P>0.05). Conclusion: Spatial resolution may influence the accuracy of the detection of incipient caries lesions in radiographs with PSP plates. Images with low spatial resolution seem to be more appropriate for this purpose.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.193-208
• /
• 1997

Much evidence now exists from both in vivo and in vitro studies to support the claim that small caries lesions can 'heal'. But, there are still different views on the mechanism of remineralization. So in order to find the best condition for the remineralization of incipient dental caries in maximum efficient way, the author conducted the experiment which reveals the effect of pH on remineralization. 40 specimens of sound permanent teeth without demineralization or crack, $100{\mu}m$ in thickness, were immersed in lactic acid buffered demineralization solution for 4 days. Dental caries with surface zone and subsurface lesion were artificially produced. All specimens were immersed in lactic acid buffered remineralization solution of pH 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5 containg fluoride ion for 10 days. The results were obtaind by observing the specimens for every 10 days under polarized microscopy at x25. 1. Remineralization did not occur in entire depth of body of lesion at given degree of saturation and concentration of fluoride ion. 2. The pattern of remineralization has increased according to increase of pH. So it can be concluded that supersaturated solution with fluoride ion can be affected by pH in remineralization of enamel, and pH 5.5 seems to be very effective in remineralization of deep and surface zone of dental caries. However, more complex factors exist in achieving complete remineralization and further continuous researches are needed to clarify the factors.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.684-691
• /
• 2008

Many operations have been carried out using the fluoride ion to prevent and reverse dental caries. It certainly encourages remineralization and also prevents dental caries. However, the remineralization developed by these means is superficial only leaving lower levels of demineralized lesion with a degree of porosity and incomplete mineralization. We must consider its toxic effects when it is ingested for overdose. The CPP-ACP paste is able to remineralize the incipient lesion and has no harmful effects when it is ingested, because it was made form casein which is from the protein of milk. The purpose of this article is to compare the remineralization effects between APF gel and the CPP-ACP paste. we applicated the APF gel and CPP-ACP paste on the artificial enamel carious lesion. After 14 days, we measured the surface microhardness and observed the remineralized lesion under polarized light microscope. The results were as follows : 1. The surface microhardness of group III was the highest, followed by group II, and I(p<0.05). 2. The surface microhardness of group III was significantly higher than those of group I, and II(p<0.05). 3. We could observe thin and irregular remineralization layer of group II, and regular and moderate remineralization layer of group III under polirized light microscope.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.33 no.6
• /
• pp.507-517
• /
• 2008

There are considerable in vitro and in vivo evidences for remineralization and demineralization occurring simultaneously in incipient enamel caries. In order to "heal" the incipient dental caries, many experiments have been carried out to determine the optimal conditions for remineralization. It was shown that remineralization is affected by different pH, lactic acid concentrations, chemical composition of the enamel, fluoride concentrations, etc. Eighty specimens from sound permanent teeth without demineralization or cracks, 0.15 mm in thickness, were immersed in lactic acid buffered demineralization solutions for 3 days. Dental caries with a surface zone and subsurface lesion were artificially produced. Groups of 10 specimens were immersed for 10 or 12 days in lactic acid buffered remineralization solutions consisting of pH 4.3 or pH 6.0, and 100, 50, 25, or 10 mM lactic acid. After demineralization and remineralization, images were taken by polarizing microscopy (${\times}100$) and micro-computed tomography. The results were obtained by observing images of the specimens and the density of the caries lesions was determined. 1.As the lactic acid concentration of the remineralization solutions with pH 4.3 was higher, the surface zone of the carious enamel increased and an isotropic zone of the subsurface lesion was found. However, the total decalcification depth increased at the same time. 2.In the remineralization solutions with pH 6.0, only the surface zone increased slightly but there was no significant change in the total decalcification depth and subsurface zone. In the lactic acid buffer solutions with the lower pH and higher lactic acid concentration, there were dynamic changes at the deep area of the dental carious lesion.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• v.54 no.1
• /
• pp.49-56
• /
• 2024

Purpose: This study evaluated the impact of artifacts generated by metal crowns on the detection of proximal caries lesions in teeth at various distances using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Additionally, the diagnostic impacts of tube current and metal artifact reduction (MAR) were investigated. Materials and Methods: Thirty teeth were arranged within 10 phantoms, each containing 1 first premolar, 1 second premolar, and 1 second molar. A sound first molar (for the control group) or a tooth with a metal crown was placed. Of the 60 proximal surfaces evaluated, 15 were sound and 45 exhibited enamel caries. CBCT scans were acquired using an OP300 Maxio unit (Instrumentarium, Tuusula, Finland), while varying the tube current (4, 8, or 12.5 mA) and enabling or disabling MAR. Five observers assessed mesial and distal surfaces using a 5-point scale. Multi-way analysis of variance was employed for data comparison, with P<0.05 indicating statistical significance. Results: The area under the curve (AUC) varied from 0.40 to 0.60 (sensitivity: 0.28-0.45, specificity: 0.44-0.80). The diagnostic accuracy was not significantly affected by the presence of a metal crown, milliamperage, or MAR(P>0.05). However, the overall AUC and specificity were significantly lower for surfaces near a crown (P<0.05). Conclusion: CBCT-based caries detection was not influenced by the presence of a metal crown, variations in milliamperage, or MAR activation. However, the diagnostic accuracy was low and was further diminished for surfaces near a crown. Consequently, CBCT is not recommended for the detection of incipient caries lesions.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• /
• v.39 no.1
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2012

The concept of resin infiltration which was born in an innovative philosophy to arrest the incipient caries. However, the structural changes of resin infiltrated lesions have not yet explained completely. The liquid resin might contribute not only to maximizing the penetration but to deteriorating physical stability. This study was performed to examine some physical and histological features of resin infiltrated incipient carious lesions. With the specimen of resin infiltrated lesions, microhardness by nanoindentation in depth profile, morphology of resin tags were revealed after HCl dissolution, and degree of microleakage were assessed. The percentage of microhardness of surface layer and lesion body of untreated specimen to sound enamel was 64.6% and 24.6% respectively, while that of resin-infiltrated lesions was 72.1%, showing significant difference (p<0.05). The resin tags observed under SEM had relatively homogeneous length of 433(282~501) ${\mu}m$ on the average. Among 20 specimens for microleakage assessment, 13 specimens showed no leakage while 5 and 2 showed leakage into outer and inner half of lesion respectively. It was thought the infiltrant resin penetrates deeply and homogeneously into lesion body and improves its hardness with relatively good physical stability.