Clinical criteria used to detect primary root caries with electrical and mechanical measurements in vitro

To relate the Electrical Caries Monitor (ECM) and Resilience Caries Monitor (RCM) readings with clinical criteria used to define primary root carious lesions (PRCLs) in vitro.

PRCLs were classified according to color, texture, hardness, cavitation, size and severity before ECM and RCM readings were recorded.

There was a poor but significant correlation between the ECM and RCM phase readings (P < 0.05). ECM readings for color, all five classes of severity and all three classes of hardness of lesions were significantly different from each other and from sound root tissue (P < 0.05). There was a significant correlation for ECM readings and cavitation (P < 0.05). There was a clear logarithmic relationship between ECM end values and size (P < 0.05). RCM amplitude measurements for hardness and all five classes of severity were significantly different from each other and from sound root tissue (P < 0.05). However, the RCM readings failed to correlate with color, cavitation or size (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the relationship between ECM and RCM data and some clinical detection criteria for PRCLs is promising and warrants further investigation in vitro and in vivo.

The ECM is capable of distinguishing the severity of PRCLs since it is a less invasive but accurate method of detecting carious lesions when compared to tactile methods. The RCM was able to differentiate sound root dentine from soft lesions in vitro but this device is currently in a very early stage of development, and many mechanical and electronic problems must be solved prior to application of the device in clinical practice.