Abstract
Many caries activity tests have been developed with the goal of identifying and understanding individual oral conditions. The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of the caries activity test“CARIOSTAT”as a screening method for approximal caries on the primary teeth. The subjects were 58 children (mean 4.3y: range 6-8 yeard-olds) and their oral cavities were examined by the usual visual method. Also X-ray examinations were used diagnosis of approximal caries. The approximal dental plaque was sampled with commercial dental floss from visually sound approximal surfaces. The plaque sample was put into the CARIOSTAT medium and incubated at 37°C,48h. Caries activity was evaluated according to CARIOSTAT score 0-3. p. The results were as follows: (1) The patterns of caries prevalence and caries activity of the approximal surfaces on the primary teeth were similar. (2) The caries activity of carious surfaces was higher than that of carious free surfaces. (3) Higher CARIOSTAT score of the aprpoximal surfaces indicated, more caries prevalence of the approximal surfaces. (4)The maximum screening value of CARIOSTAT changed by the children's age. Conclusion: Caries activity tests CARIOSTAT indicated, high validity for the screening method of approximal caries on the primary teeth.
