Detection and Analysis of Enamel Cracks by Quantitative Light-induced Fluorescence Technology

Mi-Kyoung Jun; Hye-Min Ku; Euiseong Kim; Hee-Eun Kim; Ho-Keun Kwon; Baek-Il Kim

doi:10.1016/j.joen.2015.12.008

Detection and Analysis of Enamel Cracks by Quantitative Light-induced Fluorescence Technology

J Endod. 2016 Mar;42(3):500-4. doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2015.12.008. Epub 2016 Jan 12.

Authors

Mi-Kyoung Jun¹, Hye-Min Ku², Euiseong Kim³, Hee-Eun Kim⁴, Ho-Keun Kwon¹, Baek-Il Kim⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Preventive Dentistry and Public Oral Health, College of Dentistry, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea.
² Department of Preventive Dentistry and Public Oral Health, College of Dentistry, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea; BK 21 PLUS Project, Yonsei University, College of Dentistry, Seoul, South Korea.
³ Microscope Center, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Oral Science Research Center, College of Dentistry, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea.
⁴ Department of Dental Hygiene, Gachon University College of Health Science, Incheon, South Korea.
⁵ Department of Preventive Dentistry and Public Oral Health, College of Dentistry, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea; BK 21 PLUS Project, Yonsei University, College of Dentistry, Seoul, South Korea; Oral Science Research Institute, Yonsei University, College of Dentistry, Seoul, South Korea. Electronic address: drkbi@yuhs.ac.

PMID: 26794344
DOI: 10.1016/j.joen.2015.12.008

Abstract

Introduction: The ability to accurately detect tooth cracks and quantify their depth would allow the prediction of crack progression and treatment success. The aim of this in vitro study was to determine the capabilities of quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) technology in the detection of enamel cracks.

Methods: Ninety-six extracted human teeth were selected for examining naturally existing or suspected cracked teeth surfaces using a photocuring unit. QLF performed with a digital camera (QLF-D) images were used to assess the ability to detect enamel cracks based on the maximum fluorescence loss value (ΔFmax, %), which was then analyzed using the QLF-D software. A histologic evaluation was then performed in which the samples were sectioned and observed with the aid of a polarized light microscope. The relationship between ΔFmax and the histology findings was assessed based on the Spearman rank correlation. The sensitivity and specificity were calculated to evaluate the validity of using QLF-D to analyze enamel inner-half cracks and cracks extending to the dentin-enamel junction.

Results: There was a strong correlation between the results of histologic evaluations of enamel cracks and the ΔFmax value, with a correlation coefficient of 0.84. The diagnostic accuracy of QLF-D had a sensitivity of 0.87 and a specificity of 0.98 for enamel inner-half cracks and a sensitivity of 0.90 and a specificity of 1.0 for cracks extending to the dentin-enamel junction.

Conclusions: These results indicate that QLF technology would be a useful clinical tool for diagnosing enamel cracks, especially given that this is a nondestructive method.

Keywords: Diagnosis; enamel crack; quantitative light-induced fluorescence.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Cracked Tooth Syndrome / diagnosis*
Cracked Tooth Syndrome / diagnostic imaging
Cracked Tooth Syndrome / pathology
Dental Caries / diagnosis
Dental Caries / pathology
Dental Enamel / chemistry*
Dental Enamel / pathology*
Fluorescence
Humans
Light
Tooth / chemistry*
Tooth Fractures / diagnosis