• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.432-438
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• 2017

PURPOSE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vitro validity of quantitative light-induced fluorescence-digital (QLF-D) and laser fluorescence (DIAGNOdent) for assessing proximal caries in extracted premolars, using digital radiography as reference method. MATERIALS AND METHODS. A total of 102 extracted premolars with similar lengths and shapes were used. A single operator conducted all the examinations using three different detection methods (bitewing radiography, QLF-D, and DIAGNOdent). The bitewing x-ray scale, QLF-D fluorescence loss (${\Delta}F$), and DIAGNOdent peak readings were compared and statistically analyzed. RESULTS. Each method showed an excellent reliability. The correlation coefficient between bitewing radiography and QLF-D, DIAGNOdent were -0.644 and 0.448, respectively, while the value between QLF-D and DIAGNOdent was -0.382. The kappa statistics for bitewing radiography and QLF-D had a higher diagnosis consensus than those for bitewing radiography and DIAGNOdent. The QLF-D was moderately to highly accurate (AUC = 0.753 - 0.908), while DIAGNOdent was moderately to less accurate (AUC = 0.622 - 0.784). All detection methods showed statistically significant correlation and high correlation between the bitewing radiography and QLF-D. CONCLUSION. QLF-D was found to be a valid and reliable alternative diagnostic method to digital bitewing radiography for in vitro detection of proximal caries.

• Proceedings of the Korea Contents Association Conference
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• 2014.06a
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• pp.307-308
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• 2014

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.391-400
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the difference of remineralization effects of various anti-cariogenic toothpastes on artificial carious lesions in primary and permanent teeth using quantitative light-induced fluorescence-digital (QLF-D) system. Sound human primary (n = 48) and permanent teeth (n = 48) were randomly divided into following groups : control group (Group 1), fluoride toothpaste (Group 2), functionalized tricalcium phosphate (fTCP) + fluoride toothpaste (Group 3), and casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) toothpaste (Group 4). Specimens were prepared by exposure in a demineralizing solution and then treated using the different toothpastes twice daily during 14 days. All specimens were analyzed with the QLF-D system. QLF data analysis indicated three different toothpastes showed significant remineralizing effects compared to Group 1 in both primary and permanent teeth. Also, the remineralizing effects in Group 3 and 4 were significantly higher than in Group 2. This study suggested that the toothpastes containing fTCP + fluoride and CPP-ACP have the significant anti-cariogenic effects on enamel demineralization in both primary and permanent teeth, and QLF-D is an useful device to assess the incipient carious lesion and remineralization effects of the anti-cariogenic materials quantitatively. Therefore, clinicians can consider the QLF-D system for the evaluation of demineralization and remineralization in primary and permanent teeth.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.219-226
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• 2021

Background: Proper detection and management of dental plaque are essential for individual oral health. We aimed to evaluate the maturation level of dental plaque using a two-tone disclosing agent and to compare it with the fluorescence of dental plaque on the quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) image to obtain primary data for the development of a new dental plaque scoring system. Methods: Twenty-eight subjects who consented to participate after understanding the purpose of the study were screened. The images of the anterior teeth were obtained using the QLF device. Subsequently, dental plaque was stained with a two-tone disclosing solution and a photograph was obtained with a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera. The staining scores were assigned as follows: 0 for no staining, 1 for pink staining, and 2 for blue staining. The marked points on the DSLR images were selected for RGB color analysis. The relationship between dental plaque maturation and the red/green (R/G) ratio was evaluated using Spearman's rank correlation. Additionally, different red fluorescence values according to dental plaque accumulation were assessed using one-way analysis of variance followed by Scheffe's post-hoc test to identify statistically significant differences between the groups. Results: A comparison of the intensity of red fluorescence according to the maturation of the two-tone stained dental plaque confirmed that R/G ratio was higher in the QLF images with dental plaque maturation (p<0.001). Correlation analysis between the stained dental plaque and the red fluorescence intensity in the QLF image confirmed an excellent positive correlation (p<0.001). Conclusion: A new plaque scoring system can be developed based on the results of the present study. In addition, these study results may also help in dental plaque management in the clinical setting.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.434-439
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• 2013

This study was conducted to compare the dental plaque reduction using various mouthwashes with Quantitative Light induced Fluorescence-Digital (QLF-D). A survey on 20 students was carried out. The students who were at Shingu College. Experimental group was gargled 20 ml of Listerine during 30 seconds and 15 ml of Hexamedine during 60 seconds. Control group was gargled distilled water during 30 second. The data were analyzed with t-test using SPSS 20.0 program. The ratios of control group and experimental group were reduced. Degree of ${\Delta}R30$ and ${\Delta}R70$ Listerine group was a significant difference (p>0.05). Degree of Simple Plaque Score and ${\Delta}R30$ Hexamedine group was a significant difference (p>0.05). There was no significant difference in the distilled water gargle group (p<0.05). The result of this study has the effect of two mouthwashes reduced dental plaque. The evaluation data of this study will be used in clinical application and research about QLF-D.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.116-122
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the detection ability of secondary caries using qunatitative light-induce fluorescence-digital (QLF-D) device. Twenty bovine teeth with cavity on surface were demineralized during 21 days for secondary caries lesion of cavity wall. After 21 days, cavity was filled using composite resin and cut the specimen in half with disc. Fluorescence loss of lesion on surface by time flow, cross sectional lesion, and lesion of filled or unfilled surface were analyzed using analysis software. ${\Delta}F$ (value of fluorescence loss) of the lesion on surface assessed by the QLF-D increased significantly over time up to 21 days. And ${\Delta}F$ value of lesion of filled surface is significantly lower than that of unfilled surface (p<0.001). ${\Delta}F$ of filled surface is 1.31 times of cross section lesion. The correlation of between ${\Delta}F$ of filled surface lesion and ${\Delta}F$ of cross section lesion was showed low agreement (0.026) and correlation of between ${\Delta}F$ of unfilled surface lesion and ${\Delta}F$ of cross section lesion was showed high agreement (0.613). In conclusion, secondary caries can be detected on surface using QLF-D. However, interference of fluorescence of filling material is the points to be especially considered for exact analysis of secondary caries lesion.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.403-409
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between caries experience, Quantitative Light-Induced Fluorescence-Digital (QLF-D) redings and new caries activity test (Cariview) results in preschool children. Fifty-seven healthy kindergarten children (male 28, female 29) were participated this study. The calibrated dentist investigated the caries experience of children and new caries activity test. Cariview samples were incubated in the activated medium at $37^{\circ}C$ for 48 hours. All QLF-D taking and readings were performed by one experienced and trained operator under identical conditions in a dental unit chair located in a darkened room. Analysis range was limited to the maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth. QLF-D redings (white spot and dental plaque) were analysed using QLF system. The dft index had a relatively high correlation with the QLF-D redings (white spot: r=0.617, simple plaque score: r=0.500) (p<0.01). Also, there was significant correlation between dft index and the Cariview score (r=0.286) (p<0.05). However, the Cariview score had no significant correlation between dt index and ft index (p>0.05). QLF-D can be evaluated objectively the initial caries lesions and dental plaque correlated with caries experience. Therefore, QLF-D will be useful to the study of caries prediction.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.150-157
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to suggest a convenient method of monitoring the gingival state through plaque detection. Quantitative Light-Induced Fluorescence-Digital (QLF-D), which can assess mature plaque, can be used to assess the oral hygiene status of individuals and to establish an adequate intervention plans for them. The subjects of the study participated in the clinical training at Department of Dental Hygiene, N University. The subjects completed questionnaires on general characteristics and oral hygiene methods. Then, photographs of maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth of the subjects were taken using the QLF-D. After the oral examinations, gingival state was recorded according to the $L{\ddot{o}}e$ & Silness's Gingival Index (GI). In addition, a plaque control record was calculated in percentage using disclosing agent. The analysis of the relation between the plaque control record and the QLF-D scores showed positive correlation (r=0.638, p<0.001), and the analysis of the relation between the QLF-D scores and the gingival bleeding index scores also showed positive correlation (r=0.562, p<0.001). Besides, the study classified the participants into healthy gingiva group and the gingivitis group according to the classification criteria of GI, and when the difference of QLF-D scores between the groups was analyzed, the QLF-D scores were statistically significantly higher (t=-2.785, p=0.007) in the gingivitis group ($1.71{\pm}1.545$) than the healthy gingiva group ($0.74{\pm}1.290$). When the differences in mean values of the QLF-D scores were analyzed against and the gingival bleeding index scores, the QLF-D scores of 0 and 1 belonged to the category of normal gingival state while the QLF-D scores of 2, 3 and 4 belonged to the category of gingivitis state. Therefore, it is deemed that the red fluorescence detected by the QLF-D from the mature supragingival plaque can be used for monitoring the state of gingivitis.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral Health
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.290-295
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• 2017

Objectives: Dental plaque emits red fluorescence under a visible blue light near the ultra-violet end of the light spectrum. The fluorescence characteristics of each microorganism have been reported in several studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in red fluorescence of oral microorganisms that is affected by blood in the culture media. Methods: The gram-positive Actinomyces naeslundii (AN, KCTC 5525) and Lactobacillus casei (LC, KCTC 3109) and gram negative Prevotella intermedia (PI, KCTC 3692) that are known to emit red fluorescence were used in this study. Each bacterium was activated in broth and cultivated in different agar media at $37^{\circ}C$ for 7 days. Tryptic soy agar with hemin and vitamin $K_3$ (TSA), TSA with sheep blood (TSAB), basal medium mucin (BMM) medium, and BMM with sheep blood (BMMB) were used in this study. Fluorescence due to bacterial growth was observed under 405-nm wavelength blue light using the quantitative light-induced fluorescence-digital (QLF-D) device. The red, green, and blue fluorescence values of colonies were obtained using image-analysis software and the red to green ratio (R/G value) and red to total RGB ratio (R/RGB value) were calculated for quantitative comparison. Results: The QLF-D images of the AN, LC, and PI colonies showed red fluorescence in all media, but the fluorescence of all bacteria was reduced in TSA and BMM media, compared with in TSAB and BMMB media. Both the R/G and the R/RGB values of all bacteria were significantly reduced in growth media without blood (P<0.001). Conclusions: Based on this in vitro study, it can be concluded that red fluorescence of oral bacteria can be affected by growth components, especially blood. Blood-containing medium could be a significant factor influencing red fluorescence of oral bacteria. It can be further hypothesized that bleeding in the oral cavity can increase the red fluorescence of dental plaque.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.351-362
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• 2019

Objectives: The study aimed to analyze the factors affecting the maturity of dental biofilm, which was assessed with quantitative light-induced fluorescence-digital(QLF-D), in a sample of Korean older adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 67 participants, aged 65 years and older. All participants completed a questionnaire and tests to measure their manual dexterity and handgrip strength, which are parameters that indicate hand function abilities. To evaluate dental biofilm maturity, 804 surfaces of six index teeth were imaged using QLF-D and then quantified as ${\Delta}R$ values. All data were collected from May 25, 2017 to April 30, 2018. The independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and step-wise multiple linear regression were performed to analyze the factors associated with the maturity of dental biofilm (${\Delta}R$). Results: The multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that the factor most strongly related to dental biofilm maturity(${\Delta}R$) was manual dexterity (${\beta}=-0.326$), followed by handgrip strength (${\beta}=-0.303$) and use of interdental cleaning devices (${\beta}=-0.283$) (p<0.05). Conclusions: Manual dexterity, handgrip strength, and use of interdental cleaning devices are factors that can predict dental biofilm maturity in adults aged 65 years or older. Therefore, the hand function of a patient should be evaluated first, before assessing the oral hygiene status of the patient or providing him/her with oral health education, and the dental hygienist should provide differentiated oral hygiene care depending on the patient's hand function ability. Finally, dental hygienists should help older adults to recognize the importance of auxiliary oral hygiene devices such as interdental brushes and keep motivating them to use the devices more frequently.