Possibility of Light-induced Fluorescence Application for the Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment of Dentin Caries

Abstract

In comprehensive dentistry, management is considered as an important conservative treatment for dental caries. It is expected that light-induced fluorescence by visible blue light of about 400 nm wavelength could be applied to accurate diagnosis and management of dental caries lesion. In this paper, non-contact type caries diagnosis systems was explained, and related research which was done in comprehensive dentistry will be introduced.
Commercially available caries recognition system VISTACAM-P could not identify a C₀, C₁, and C₂. However, the measured value of VISTACAM-P was important for caries observation or determination of the dental intervention, as same as it of DIAGNOdent. When light source of about 400 nm wavelength was irradiated, a light-induced fluorescence spectrums with three peaks between 770 nm and 600 nm on caries dentin, with a single peak about 480 nm on sound dentin and was recognized. Currently, an experimental caries dentin recognition and removal system, an ultrasonic equipment with an LED light source of 405 nm wavelength was considered for clinical application.