Use of a fluorescence-based camera for monitoring occlusal surfaces of primary and permanent teeth

Background: Sound teeth and incipient lesions require regular monitoring to detect possible progression of caries early on.

Aim: To evaluate the ability of the VistaProof (VP) fluorescence-based camera for monitoring occlusal surfaces.

Design: A total of 419 posterior teeth (205 primary molars, 145 permanent molars, and 69 premolars) of 35 patients were examined (average age: 9.1 years). The occlusal surfaces were classified visually according to the criteria of the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS). VP measurements were performed at baseline (t1), and the examinations were repeated after six (t2) and twelve month (t3). Correlation between methods was calculated using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (r_s ). Wilcoxon test was used to monitor whether VP identified changes as well as ICDAS (α = 0.05).

Results: Correlations between ICDAS and VP were significantly positive (r_s : 0.66-0.73, P < 0.001). No significant differences were found between all times for the ICDAS findings. Significant differences for the VP were ascertained for t1/t2 (P = 0.03). Results based on cluster randomization showed significant differences between ICDAS and VistaProof concerning the absence/presence of changes in the finding (P < 0.0005).

Conclusion: Correlation between ICDAS and VP was strong. The VP supported the findings of visual examination for monitoring occlusal surfaces, although not all changes could be detected with respect to the visual findings.