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Published on: December 10, 2013
Assessment of dental caries lesion activity status using quantitative parameters obtained from the quantitative
Chi Hoon Kim1, Kisuk Bae2, Tae Yang Lee1
1Department of Pediatric Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea.
Background:
This study aimed to assess differences in quantitative measures obtained from the quantitative light-induced fluorescence method and microbial composition of carious dentin and saliva according to the activity status of caries lesions in primary molars.
Methods:
A total of 34 teeth from 34 children were evaluated in this study. The activity status of carious lesions was classified using the International Caries Classification and Management System criteria (active or inactive). Images of the carious lesions were captured using a quantitative light-induced fluorescence device for quantitative analyses. Carious dentin and saliva were collected to detect and quantify selected bacterial species (S. mutans, S. sobrinus, Lactobacillus species, F. nucleatum, P. nigrescence, P. intermedia) and C. albicans by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Mann-Whitney U tests were performed to evaluate differences in quantitative measures from quantitative light-induced fluorescence, the microbial composition of carious dentin, and saliva according to the activity status of carious lesions.
Results:
Red fluorescence values (∆R, ∆Rmax) from the quantitative light-induced fluorescence method were significantly higher in active lesions (∆R, p = 0.009; ∆Rmax, p = 0.014). The quantitative mean levels of Lactobacillus species (p = 0.010) in carious dentin and S. sobrinus (p = 0.017) in saliva were significantly higher in the active-lesion group.
Conclusions:
Quantitative measures related to red fluorescence from the quantitative light-induced fluorescence method, levels of Lactobacillus species from carious dentin, and levels of S. sobrinus from saliva were associated with caries lesion activity.
