Diagnostic Performance of Different Methods in Detecting Incipient Non-Cavitated Occlusal Caries Lesions in Permanent Teeth

Abstract

Aim: This in vitro study was aimed to investigate the performance of the new caries detection tools on the incipient occlusal caries. Study design: In our study, 100 permanent molar teeth, which were considered to have incipient, enamel caries (D1 and D2 threshold values) according to ICDAS II score. After the visual examination, caries measurements have been applied to all teeth by using DIAGNOdent pen (DP), CarieScan PRO (CP) and SoproLife camera (SC). In addition, in vitro examinations were repeated 2 weeks later. After sectioning and evaluation in stereomicroscope, the lesion depth was determined with histological criteria that are accepted for the gold standard for this research. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and area under the ROC curve were calculated at D1 and D2 thresholds. The infra-examiners' reproducibility were analysed using Cohen 's kappa statistics and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: Infra-examiner repeatability values varied from 0.94 to 0.99 and kappa values ranged from 0.90 to 0.99. While the highest sensitivity and specificity value showed for SC at D1 and D2 thresholds, CP presented the lowest values. The area under ROC curves (Az) varied from 0.70 to 0.99. ICDAS II showed the highest area under ROC curves (Az). Conclusions: ICDAS II, visual diagnostic method by itself is considered to sufficient in order to diagnose incipient occlusal caries. SC may be used as an alternative method for the ICDASII, since its advantages by displaying caries lesion on the computer monitor, follow-up and motivation of the patients provided.