Methods for caries detection: an overview

ABSTRACT

It is critical to detect caries as early as possible to reverse/halt the carious process or to restore the tooth in a most conservative manner. The conventional caries detection methods may fail to detect early carious lesions. Therefore, efforts have been underway to develop more sophisticated caries detection systems. Various caries detection systems are discussed in this review. The evidence supporting new systems is currently limited. This brief review describes available technology and research supporting its use. Each system have its own indications and benefits. It can be recommended that the systems such as Laser Fluorescence, Quantitative Light-Induced Fluorescence [QLF] and Digital Image fiberOptic Trans-illumination [DiFOTI] do facilitate earlier detection of enamel caries