Application of quantitative light-induced fluorescence for assessing early caries lesions

Quantitative light induced fluorescence (QLF) is a nondestructive diagnostic method for the longitudinal assessment of early caries lesions in time. When a tooth becomes carious the fluorescence radiance at the location of the caries lesion decreases. The fluorescence image of enamel with incipient lesions can be digitized and then the fluorescence loss in the lesion can be quantified in comparison to the fluorescence radiance level of sound enamel. Changes in fluorescence radiance and lesion area can be followed in time to measure lesion development. The amount of fluorescence radiance loss is related to the mineral loss in the lesion. The technique can be used in vitro, in situ and in vivo to monitor mineral changes in lesions. Applications of QLF are found in the testing of products designed to inhibit demineralization and promote remineralization of caries. The method has been successfully applied to smooth surfaces as well as occlusal surfaces, but application on approximal lesions is not yet possible.

[1]  B Angmar-Månsson,et al.  A new method for in vivo quantification of changes in initial enamel caries with laser fluorescence. , 1995, Caries research.

[2]  G. Stookey,et al.  In Vitro Studies of Laser Fluorescence for Detection and Quantification of Mineral Loss From Dental Caries , 1997, Advances in dental research.

[3]  J. Arends,et al.  Orthodontic appliances and enamel demineralization. Part 1. Lesion development. , 1988, American journal of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics : official publication of the American Association of Orthodontists, its constituent societies, and the American Board of Orthodontics.

[4]  H. Bjelkhagen,et al.  A clinically applicable laser luminescence method for the early detection of dental caries , 1981, IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics.

[5]  G. Stookey,et al.  The Validity and Repeatability of Three Light–Induced Fluorescence Systems: An in vitro Study , 1999, Caries Research.

[6]  S Tranaeus,et al.  Monitoring the caries process. Optical methods for clinical diagnosis and quantification of enamel caries. , 1996, European journal of oral sciences.

[7]  M Analoui,et al.  Relative ability of laser fluorescence techniques to quantitate early mineral loss in vitro. , 1997, Caries research.

[8]  G. Eckert,et al.  Detection of Early Interproximal Caries in vitro Using Laser Fluorescence, Dye–Enhanced Laser Fluorescence and Direct Visual Examination , 1999, Caries Research.

[9]  J. T. ten Bosch,et al.  Regression of white spot enamel lesions. A new optical method for quantitative longitudinal evaluation in vivo. , 1994, American journal of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics : official publication of the American Association of Orthodontists, its constituent societies, and the American Board of Orthodontics.

[10]  J. T. ten Bosch,et al.  Strategies for Improving the Assessment of Dental Fluorosis: Focus on Optical Techniques , 1994, Advances in dental research.

[11]  F. Sundström,et al.  Mineral loss in incipient caries lesions quantified with laser fluorescence and longitudinal microradiography. A methodologic study. , 1996, Acta odontologica Scandinavica.