Caries detection: an evaluation

The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare visual-tactile and electronic methods of caries diagnosis with the microscopic appearance of both pit and fissure caries and smooth surface caries. Twenty-eight teeth were extracted and preserved in 10% buffered formalin. A total of 94 sites [occlusal fissures [19], buccal pits [19] and smooth surfaces [56]] was examined for caries using visual tactile and electronic caries detector. Multiple facial-lingual sections were prepared from each tooth. These sections were examined microscopically andphotographed. The findings indicated that for occlusal pit and fissure cariesand buccal pit caries, the visual-tactile method have microscopic findingsthan did the electronic detector. However, the electronic detector has showeda much better correlation with the microscopic data than did thevisual-tactile method for smooth surface caries. These results indicated thatelectronic caries detection may assist in the diagnosis of facial surfacecaries