Innovative Approaches in Dental Care: Electrical Impedance Analysis (EIA) for Early Caries Detection

(1) Background: Microcracks and structural fragility in teeth, often undetected by traditional methods until severe complications like fractures or pulp exposure occur, are evaluated in this study using electrical impedance analysis (EIA) as a non-invasive tool for early detection and assessment. (2) Methods: A total of 57 patients were recruited, including individuals with bruxism (n = 20), dental restorations (n = 18), and no significant dental history (control group, n = 19). Electrical impedance measurements were performed on all teeth using a portable device, with data collected from occlusal and proximal surfaces. Patients with abnormal values underwent additional imaging (standard radiographs) to confirm the presence of microcracks. Statistical analyses included ANOVA to compare impedance values between groups and logistic regression to assess the predictors of structural fragility. (3) Results: Teeth with microcracks confirmed by standard radiographs exhibited significantly lower impedance values (mean 50 kΩ) compared to healthy teeth (mean 120 kΩ, p < 0.01). Patients with bruxism showed the highest proportion of teeth with abnormal impedance (45%). Logistic regression identified bruxism as a significant predictor of reduced impedance values (p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: Electrical impedance analysis demonstrates promise as a non-invasive method for detecting microcracks and assessing structural fragility in teeth. Its application in routine dental check-ups could enable early interventions, particularly for high-risk patients with bruxism or restorations.