Clinical validity of fluorescence-based devices versus visual-tactile method in detection of secondary caries around resin composite restorations: diagnostic accuracy study
2025

Detecting Secondary Caries Around Resin Composite Restorations

Sample size: 20 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Aya Mohamed Adly, Shereen Hafez Ibrahim, Amira Farid El-Zoghbi

Primary Institution: Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University, Egypt

Hypothesis

There are no differences in the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of both fluorescence-based devices as compared to the visual-tactile assessment method when used to detect secondary caries around the margins of resin composite restorations.

Conclusion

Both fluorescence-based devices and the visual-tactile method are reliable for detecting secondary caries around resin composite restorations.

Supporting Evidence

  • DIAGNOdent pen showed the highest sensitivity (100%) followed by VistaCam (98.82%) and the visual-tactile method (98.82%) at the enamel threshold.
  • DIAGNOdent pen and VistaCam had lower specificity values than the visual-tactile method.
  • There was perfect agreement in inter-examiner reliability for all assessment methods (Kappa 0.858–0.992).
  • Fluorescence-based devices could be used as a valuable aid to supplement or as a second opinion after the visual-tactile method.

Takeaway

This study looked at different ways to find cavities around dental fillings. It found that both new light devices and the traditional touch-and-look method work well.

Methodology

The study included 20 participants with 30 resin-composite restored teeth, evaluated using visual-tactile method, light-induced fluorescence camera, and laser-induced fluorescence device.

Potential Biases

The examiners were not blinded to the index assessment methods, which could introduce bias.

Limitations

The study was limited by the difficulty in creating a dry field for secondary caries detection and the potential impact of oral environmental factors on fluorescence-based devices.

Participant Demographics

The study included 20 participants, 13 females (65%) and 7 males (35%), with a total of 30 restored teeth.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.0058

Confidence Interval

0.890–0.972

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1038/s41405-024-00284-7

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