ABSTRACT
Background: The diagnosis of hidden caries extending deeply into dentine with intact enamel is based on digital radiograph and is considered a difficult procedure, which needs more analysis of the affected teeth.
Aim: The purpose of the present study was to determine the accuracy of laser fluorescence (DIAGNOdent) and the conventional method (bitewing radiograph) in identifying the depth of the proximal carious lesions in posterior teeth in vivo.
Materials and methods: Forty proximal lesions were identified in 26 patients aged between 20-45 years old, who were recruited from the out clinic of Dental Teaching Hospital. Following initial clinical examination, the patients were subjected to two diagnostic methods: The first one is a bitewing digital radiograph using GXS - 700 Gendex with exposure time of 0.32 second and patients with scores from 1 to 3 were selected. The second method was carried out using the DIAGNOdent device to take the reading of demineralization existing in proximal surfaces. Only teeth with readings representing actual cavitation were included. Cavity preparations were performed to the selected carious lesions according to the extension of the caries, then axial cavity depths were measured, and teeth were restored using bonded resin composite.
Results: Statistical analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between DIAGNOdent and RVG (R= 0.868; p < 0.05). There were positive correlation between cavity depth and DIAGNOdent (R= 0.998; p < 0.01) as well as between cavity depth and RVG (R= 0.798; p < 0.05). The strongest correlation was detected between cavity depths with DIAGNOdent compared to RVG.