Dental Caries Detection: The State of the Art

Dental caries detection is challenging for dental professionals, especially in early stages. Detection of incipient caries is important for prevention implementation, which will in turn make it possible to avoid the restoration of progressed caries. Various methods and techniques have been developed for caries detection and dental professionals must be familiar with such methods and diagnostic tools. This literature review provides an overview of current methods for caries detection. INTRODUCTION Dental caries is a condition which results from a localized chemical dissolution of the tooth surface caused by acidic by-products from bacterial fermentation of dietary carbohydrates in the biofilm (dental plaque) covering the affected area. This destruction can affect enamel, dentin and cementum [1]. There are several caries classification criteria (Table 1). The simple standard American Dental Association (ADA) caries classification system classified caries as initial (incipient), moderate and severe. The International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) (Figure 1) was developed over years and has been found to be reliable and predictable, hence gaining international acceptance as the evolving caries diagnosis standard [2,3]. Fig 1: ICDAS caries assessment