IADR Abstract Archives
Performance of NILT Technology in Detecting Occlusal Caries in Primary Molars
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the performance of near-infrared light transillumination device (NILT) in the detection of occlusal caries lesions in primary molars.
Methods: One occlusal site per tooth of 57 freshly extracted primary molars with healthy surfaces or incipient caries lesions was selected. Two independent examiners assessed the teeth twice, with a one-week interval using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS), digital bitewing radiography (DBW), laser fluorescence (DIAGNOdent pen, LFpen) and NILT (DIAGNOcam, DC). After assessments, the teeth were prepared for histological evaluation under stereomicroscope.
Results: The intra- and inter-examiner reproducibility values were calculated by the weighted kappa coefficient and intraclass correlation coefficient, ranging from 0.313 (DBW) to 0.893 (LFpen). When the cut-off for caries was set at the enamel-dentin junction, the intra-examiner reproducibility ranged from 0.513 (ICDAS) to 0.848 (DC) and 0.301 (ICDAS) to 1.000 (DBW), respectively; and the inter-examiner reproducibility ranged from 0.281 (DBW) to 0.467 (DC) and 0.217 (LFpen) to 0.755 (DC), respectively. At the diagnostic threshold D1 (lesions in enamel and dentin), LFpen presented higher sensitivity, followed by ICDAS, while DBW presented higher specificity values, followed by ICDAS and DC (p<0.05). ICDAS and LFpen presented better accuracy values and area under the ROC curve (Az) compared with the other methods. At the diagnostic threshold D3 (dentin lesions), low sensitivity values were observed for all methods and ICDAS and DC were statistically similar (p>0.05). All methods presented high values for specificity, accuracy and Az. Spearman’s correlation was significant positive for all methods (p<0.0001), with a strong correlation between the histological results and ICDAS and DC.
Conclusions: In conclusion, DC, ICDAS and LFpen presented good performance in detecting occlusal caries lesions in primary molars. The results indicate that NILT technology can be used as an adjunct method without the use of ionizing radiation.
Methods: One occlusal site per tooth of 57 freshly extracted primary molars with healthy surfaces or incipient caries lesions was selected. Two independent examiners assessed the teeth twice, with a one-week interval using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS), digital bitewing radiography (DBW), laser fluorescence (DIAGNOdent pen, LFpen) and NILT (DIAGNOcam, DC). After assessments, the teeth were prepared for histological evaluation under stereomicroscope.
Results: The intra- and inter-examiner reproducibility values were calculated by the weighted kappa coefficient and intraclass correlation coefficient, ranging from 0.313 (DBW) to 0.893 (LFpen). When the cut-off for caries was set at the enamel-dentin junction, the intra-examiner reproducibility ranged from 0.513 (ICDAS) to 0.848 (DC) and 0.301 (ICDAS) to 1.000 (DBW), respectively; and the inter-examiner reproducibility ranged from 0.281 (DBW) to 0.467 (DC) and 0.217 (LFpen) to 0.755 (DC), respectively. At the diagnostic threshold D1 (lesions in enamel and dentin), LFpen presented higher sensitivity, followed by ICDAS, while DBW presented higher specificity values, followed by ICDAS and DC (p<0.05). ICDAS and LFpen presented better accuracy values and area under the ROC curve (Az) compared with the other methods. At the diagnostic threshold D3 (dentin lesions), low sensitivity values were observed for all methods and ICDAS and DC were statistically similar (p>0.05). All methods presented high values for specificity, accuracy and Az. Spearman’s correlation was significant positive for all methods (p<0.0001), with a strong correlation between the histological results and ICDAS and DC.
Conclusions: In conclusion, DC, ICDAS and LFpen presented good performance in detecting occlusal caries lesions in primary molars. The results indicate that NILT technology can be used as an adjunct method without the use of ionizing radiation.