Abstract
Fluorescence-based devices such as the DIAGNOdent 2095 are adjunctive tools employed for caries detection. Recently, a DIAGNOdent pen (Pen) was introduced, which is a handheld device equipped with two types of tips, one to detect caries on occlusal and smooth surfaces, and the other to detect approximal caries. Although the device is expected to be utilized in pediatric dentistry, there are few reports of its use for primary or immature permanent teeth. We compared measurements obtained using a Pen device with lesion depth shown on bitewing radiograph images in primary and immature permanent teeth for detection of approximal caries. We examined 18 patients aged from 4 to 13 years old. For detection of approximal caries, examinations of 69 caries sites in primary teeth and 54 sites in immature permanent teeth were performed. Values obtained with the Pen for approximal caries in primary and immature permanent teeth were 24.5±2.41 and 6.9±0.71, respectively, while lesion depth values obtained using bitewing radiographs were 0.7±0.07 and 0.1±0.03 mm, respectively. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to compare between the Pen and lesion depth and obtained R values of 0.82 and 0.78, respectively, for approximal caries in primary and immature permanent teeth. Values for both types of teeth showed high correlation coefficient values. Our findings suggest that the Pen is useful for diagnosis of the progress of approximal caries in primary and immature permanent teeth.
