The diagnostic efficacy of quantitative light-induced fluorescence in detection of dental caries of primary teeth

Kyung Hyun Cho; Chung-Min Kang; Hoi-In Jung; Hyo-Seol Lee; Koeun Lee; Tae Yang Lee; Je Seon Song

doi:10.1016/j.jdent.2021.103845

The diagnostic efficacy of quantitative light-induced fluorescence in detection of dental caries of primary teeth

J Dent. 2021 Dec:115:103845. doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2021.103845. Epub 2021 Oct 9.

Authors

Kyung Hyun Cho¹, Chung-Min Kang², Hoi-In Jung³, Hyo-Seol Lee⁴, Koeun Lee⁴, Tae Yang Lee¹, Je Seon Song⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pediatric Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
² Department of Pediatric Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Oral Science Research Center, College of Dentistry, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
³ Department of Preventive Dentistry & Public Oral Health, College of Dentistry, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
⁴ Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Kyung Hee University Dental Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
⁵ Department of Pediatric Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Oral Science Research Center, College of Dentistry, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: songjs@yuhs.ac.

PMID: 34637890
DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2021.103845

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate a quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) caries detection method using a portable device under clinical conditions and present a QLF scoring index (QS-index) for primary teeth.

Methods: A total of 878 tooth surfaces (proximal and occlusal) of 44 children were studied. After visual inspection and radiographic examination, images of dental caries captured with the QLF device were classified according to caries progression stages and analyzed with a specialized software. Cut-off values, sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) were calculated for the QLF parameters: fluorescence loss (ΔF) and bacterial activity (ΔR). The reliability of logistic regression model to combine ΔF and ΔR was evaluated by the AUROC.

Results: QLF parameters showed a good sensitivity (0.72-0.91), specificity (0.74-0.96), and AUROC (0.861-0.940). The AUROC of logistic regression model (0.90-0.957) was higher than ΔF or ΔR average alone in all types of carious lesions. Every level of the QS-index was properly defined to represent the progression of dental caries with corresponding statistical significance.

Conclusions: The reliability of QLF for dental caries detection in primary teeth was similar to or slightly higher than that of the traditional diagnostic methods of visual inspection or radiographic examination in clinical conditions.

Clinical significance: The results of QLF were reliable in detecting all types of dental caries in primary teeth. The QLF method can provide visual images as well as quantitatively analyze the carious lesion.

Keywords: Caries detection; Dental caries; Diagnosis; Fluorescence imaging; Fluorescence loss; Primary teeth; Quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) technology.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

Child
Dental Caries Activity Tests / methods
Dental Caries* / diagnostic imaging
Dental Caries* / pathology
Fluorescence
Humans
Light
Quantitative Light-Induced Fluorescence*
Reproducibility of Results
Tooth, Deciduous