[Detection of early fissure caries with clinical, radiologic, and laser fluorescence methods]. / Skutecznosc diagnostyczna badania klinicznego, radiologicznego i refleksometrii fluorescencyjnej w wykrywaniu poczatkowych stadiów próchnicy bruzd.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim of study was to compare the diagnostic efficacy of the newly introduced DIAGNOdent laser fluorescence with traditional methods for detection of molar caries, namely visual inspection and bitewing radiographs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Discolored fissures of 134 permanent molars were studied in 103 patients aged 12-18 years. RESULTS: The results indicate that visual examination and bitewing radiographs showed very high or high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of early fissure caries. Combination of these two methods decreased the number of false positive and negative results. Diagnostic accuracy of DIAGNOdent was significantly inferior to that of clinical examination or bitewing radiographs. CONCLUSION: However, the diagnostic accuracy of DIAGNOdent was increased by combining it with one of the two traditional methods studied.