LASER FLUORESCENCE DEVICE (DIAGNODENT) IN COMPARISON TO VISUAL EXAMINATION IN DETECTION OF OCCLUSAL CARIES IN PERMANENT MOLARS AND PREMOLARS

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare laser fluorescence (LF), using DIAGNOdent tool and visual examination (VE) methods for diagnosis of early occlusal caries in permanent molars and premolars. Two hundred occlusal surfaces were randomly selected in permanent molars and premolars of 54 female patients (17-25 years old), visited Dental Hygiene Clinics of College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Clinical examination for dental caries using LF and VE methods was conducted by two examiners. The agreement between the two examiners was almost perfect (Kappa .87 and 1.0) using LF and VE for diagnosis of the occlusal caries. There was no significant difference in sensitivity and specificity value of the two methods. It is also concluded that the laser fluorescence can be used as an adjunct tool in the diagnosis of occlusal dental caries in permanent molars and premolars.