Influence of professional cleaning and drying of occlusal surfaces on laser fluorescence in vivo.

Three dentists recorded laser fluorescence (LF) values on 117 teeth in 70 patients, in the sequence: (1) moist, uncleaned; (2) dried, uncleaned; (3) moist, cleaned; (4) dried, cleaned. LF values varied significantly with surface status (p < 0.01). The optimal cutoffs were up to 5 units lower on uncleaned, moist surfaces compared to the other states. Drying uncleaned surfaces significantly increased LF readings for dentinal caries (p < 0.01). It was concluded that occlusal surfaces should be clean and dry, for precise longitudinal monitoring of caries with LF as well as for detailed visual inspection, which should precede LF measurements. Copyright 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel.