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Caries risk assessment: methods available to clinicians for caries detection
Sofia Tranaeus1, Xie-Qi Shi, Birgit Angmar-Månsson
1Department of Cariology and Endodontology, Institute of Odontology, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden. sofia.tranaeus@ofa.ki.se
Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology
|July 13, 2005
Summary
Detecting hidden dental caries, especially on occlusal surfaces, is challenging due to enamel opacity and limitations of traditional methods. New objective techniques are needed for accurate diagnosis and monitoring of early carious lesions.
Area of Science:
- Dentistry
- Oral Health
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Occlusal caries initiation on fissure walls can be masked by sound tissue.
- Fluoride use increases enamel opacity, potentially hiding 'hidden lesions' in dentin.
- Dental radiographs are often insufficient for early occlusal caries detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the limitations of current clinical methods for detecting and quantifying carious lesions.
- To highlight the need for objective diagnostic tools to complement visual and tactile assessments.
- To explore advanced techniques for early caries detection and monitoring.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on dental caries detection.
- Discussion of traditional clinical assessment methods (visual, tactile).
- Description of commercially available objective diagnostic devices (e.g., quantitative light-induced fluorescence, DIAGNOdent, electrical caries monitor).
Main Results:
- Traditional methods like visual inspection and radiography have limitations in detecting early occlusal caries.
- Objective methods offer potential for more accurate and reliable caries detection and monitoring.
- Several commercially available devices and emerging techniques aim to improve caries diagnosis.
Conclusions:
- There is a significant need for improved clinical methods for detecting and quantifying dental caries.
- Objective diagnostic tools are crucial for informed clinical decisions regarding caries management.
- Advanced technologies show promise for early intervention and conservative treatment of carious lesions.