Quantitative light-induced fluorescence: a potential tool for general dental assessment.

Current dental diagnostic methods can detect caries but cannot quantify the mineral status of a lesion. Quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) measures the percentage of fluorescence change of demineralized enamel with respect to surrounding sound enamel, and relates it directly to the amount of mineral lost during demineralization. Development of caries-like lesions and subsequent remineralization of the lesions were monitored by QLF. The results showed that the percentage of fluorescence change (Delta Q) increased linearly with the demineralization time and decreased with increased remineralization time. Stained teeth were whitened with a bleaching agent and the change in stain intensity (Delta E) was quantified using QLF. The results showed that Delta E decreased linearly as the tooth regained its natural color. Factors that might affect the use of QLF to detect and quantify caries were also examined. It was concluded that QLF could be used to detect and longitudinally monitor the progression or remineralization of incipient caries, however lesion detection may be limited by the presence of saliva or plaque and enhanced by staining. The change in shade of discolored teeth by whitening agents could be quantitatively measured by QLF.

[1]  F. Sundström,et al.  Comparison of laser fluorescence and longitudinal microradiography for quantitative assessment of in vitro enamel caries. , 1992, Caries research.

[2]  R. Newcombe,et al.  bleaching: The chemical stain removal properties of 'whitening' toothpaste products: studies in vitro , 2000, British Dental Journal.

[3]  J Driller,et al.  Assessment of dental caries with Digital Imaging Fiber-Optic TransIllumination (DIFOTI): in vitro study. , 1997, Caries research.

[4]  L. Bjørndal,et al.  Relationship between external and histologic features of progressive stages of caries in the occlusal fossa. , 1995, Caries research.

[5]  A. Gaffar,et al.  Studies on Dental Stains Induced by Antibacterial Agents and Rational Approaches for Bleaching Dental Stains , 1995 .

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

[7]  M. Addy,et al.  The use of acrylic to compare the abrasivitand stain removal properties of toothpastes , 1991 .

[8]  J. M. ten Cate,et al.  Quantification of Formation and Remineralization of Artificial Enamel Lesions with a New Portable Fluorescence Device , 1997, Advances in dental research.

[9]  B. Amaechi,et al.  Caries inhibiting and remineralizing effect of xylitol in vitro. , 1999, Journal of oral science.

[10]  M. Addy,et al.  An in vitro study of the role of dietary factors in the aetiology of tooth staining associated with the use of chlorhexidine. , 1979, Journal of periodontal research.

[11]  B T Amaechi,et al.  Factors affecting the development of carious lesions in bovine teeth in vitro. , 1998, Archives of oral biology.

[12]  M. Rykke,et al.  Desorption of acquired enamel pellicle in vivo by pyrophosphate. , 1990, Scandinavian journal of dental research.

[13]  A Wenzel,et al.  Detection of occlusal caries without cavitation by visual inspection, film radiographs, xeroradiographs, and digitized radiographs. , 1991, Caries research.

[14]  W. Edgar,et al.  Effects of chewing gums sweetened with sorbitol or a sorbitol/xylitol mixture on the remineralisation of human enamel lesions in situ. , 1992, Caries research.

[15]  A. Joiner,et al.  Investigation of Factors Influencing Stain Formation Utilizing an in Situ Model , 1995 .

[16]  M. Addy,et al.  Mechanisms of Stain Formation on Teeth, in Particular Associated with Metal Ions and Antiseptics , 1995 .

[17]  S. Nathoo,et al.  Clinical comparison of Colgate Platinum Toothwhitening System and Rembrandt Gel Plus. , 1994, Compendium.

[18]  M. H. Veen,et al.  Application of quantitative light-induced fluorescence for assessing early caries lesions , 2000 .

[19]  M. Analoui,et al.  An in vitro Comparison between Laser Fluorescence and Visual Examination for Detection of Demineralization in Occlusal Pits and Fissures , 1998, Caries Research.

[20]  G. Truin,et al.  Accuracy of Visual Inspection, Fiber-optic Transillumination, and Various Radiographic Image Modalities for the Detection of Occlusal Caries in Extracted Non-cavitated Teeth , 1992, Journal of dental research.

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

[22]  J J ten Bosch,et al.  Optimised microcomputer-guided quantitative microradiography on dental mineralised tissue slices. , 1987, Physics in medicine and biology.

[23]  G. Rölla,et al.  Chemical analysis of the acquired pellicle formed in two hours on cleaned human teeth in vivo. Rate of formation and amino acid analysis. , 1973, Caries research.