Evaluation of a model for short-term clinical testing of cariogenicity

Conventional mirror and probe examination and laser fluorescence were used to score caries-like alterations on the buccal surfaces of posterior teeth in 60 panelists, allotted to one of three groups. All subjects refrained from oral hygiene for five days. In one group each subject consumed 12 sucrose candies daily between meals and in the second group each subject similarly consumed 12 palatinose (isomaltulose) candies. The third group served as a control. At the end of the experimental period the tooth surfaces reexamined. Conventional and laser fluorescence scoring techniques showed an increase in the number of caries-like alterations for all groups, but there were no significant differences between the groups. For all groups, the laser method gave significantly greater scores throughout. The findings imply that certain aspects of the early development of enamel caries in subjects regularly using fluorides must be considered in the design of a short-term cariogenicity test. It is concluded that sensitive quantitative methods for the registration of caries are necessary in such tests.