CARIES PREDICTION MODEL USING LASER FLUORESCENCE

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Journal of the Korean Academy of Pediatric Dentistry 2001;28(1):16-24.
Published online February 28, 2001.

CARIES PREDICTION MODEL USING LASER FLUORESCENCE

레이저 형광법을 이용한 우식유발 예측모형

이상호, 이창섭, 정연화

조선대학교 치과대학 소아치과학교실, 구강생물학 연구소

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the specificity, sensitivity, and diagnostic power of caries activity test using laser fluorescence. The subjects of this study were 50 children of 7~9 years old. Fluorescence from initial carious lesion of teeth illuminated by an argon laser(480nm) was observed and photographed with barrier filter. Visual examination for the dDfFtT rate and Streptococcus mutans colony counting was done to evaluate correlation with caries activity test using laser fluorescence. Data analysis was accomplished by Axelsson's method. The results from the present study can be summarized as follows: 1. There was positive correlation (γ=0.48) between laser fluorescence test and Streptococcus mutans count. And also positive correlation (γ=0.39) exists between laser fluorescence test and dDfFtT rate (P<0.01). 2. Positive correlation (γ=0.27) between Streptococcus mutans colony count and dDfFtT rate was found(P<0.05). 3. When dDfFtT rate was defined to standard testing method, the specificity, senstivity, and diagnostic power of laser fluorescence test were 44.4%, 85.7%, and 87.8%. 4. When dDfFtT rate was defined to standard testing method, the specificity, senstivity, and diagnostic power of S. mutans colony counting were 77.8%, 92.9%, 84.8%. 5. When S. mutans colony counting was defined to standard testing method, sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic power of laser fluorescence test were 40.0%, 84.8%, 95.1%. In regard to above results, laser fluorescence test considered to be accurate and reliable method for determining caries activity because of it's close relationship with caries susceptibility test and caries experience measurements. And it was also considered to be practical because it would be simple, inexpensive, and time saving method.

Key Words: Laser fluorescence, Caries activity test, Sensitivity, Specificity, Streptococcus mutans