New caries diagnostic methods

Abstract

Several noninvasive physicochemical methods have been developed during the last two decades to detect, measure, and monitor early caries lesions. Among these, the laser-induced fluorescence method is probably the best-tested technology. Many methods that are presented in this chapter are based on simple physical facts of the caries process. Demineralized enamel is more porous than sound enamel. Transmitted light is scattered in this region, and measuring the differences between reflected light of carious and sound enamel renders both qualitative and quantitative ways to detect lesions. Fluorescence is another phenomenon that can be measured for caries diagnostic purposes. For caries and caries-causing bacteria, characteristic fluorescence can be caused by specific wavelengths. This chapter focuses on (laser-)light-induced caries detection methods.