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A Nanoparticle, Fluorescence-Based Rinse for Caries Activity Assessment, an in Vitro Study
Bruna Leticia Vessoni Menoncin1, Wendy Bloembergen2, Nathan Jones2
1Department of Comprehensive Care, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
International Dental Journal
|May 7, 2025
Summary
A new fluorescence rinse (FR) perfectly detected active caries lesions compared to visual assessment using the International Caries Classification and Management System (ICCMS). This objective method shows potential for improved clinical detection of smooth surface caries activity.
Area of Science:
- Dental Diagnostics
- Caries Research
- Nanotechnology in Dentistry
Background:
- Accurate assessment of caries activity is crucial for effective treatment planning.
- Visual assessment (VA) of initial smooth surface caries can be subjective.
- Novel diagnostic tools are needed to improve the objectivity of caries detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the agreement between a starch-based nanoparticle fluorescence rinse (FR) and the International Caries Classification and Management System (ICCMS) for assessing caries activity.
- To evaluate the potential of fluorescence assessment (FA) as an objective indicator of initial smooth surface caries activity.
Main Methods:
- Extracted human teeth (N=57) underwent visual assessment (VA) by calibrated examiners using ICCMS criteria (sound, inactive, active).
- Teeth were immersed in FR, rinsed, air-dried, and examined for fluorescence under specific lighting conditions.
- Inter- and intra-examiner agreement was calculated using Kappa statistics.
Main Results:
- Visual assessment classified 12 teeth (21%) as active and 45 teeth (79%) as sound or inactive.
- Fluorescence assessment showed 100% concordance with VA: all active lesions fluoresced, and all sound/inactive lesions did not.
- Kappa value of 1 indicated perfect agreement between FA and VA.
Conclusions:
- Fluorescence rinse (FR) demonstrated perfect agreement with visual assessment (VA) using ICCMS for differentiating active from inactive/sound smooth surface caries.
- FA with FR shows potential as an objective and easily integrated tool for detecting smooth surface caries activity in clinical settings.
