Quantitative diagnosis of small approximal caries lesions utilizing wavelength-dependent fiber-optic transillumination.

The instruments clinically available for the diagnosis of approximal caries lesions are inadequate to detect lesions early and quantitatively. The aim of this study was to investigate whether wavelength-dependent light scattering and absorption of carious tissues may be utilized for the quantitative diagnosis of these small approximal caries lesions. Seventeen extracted premolar teeth were transilluminated at an approximal surface with a glass fiber, which transported the light from a halogen light bulb. Seven approximal surfaces contained a naturally developed small white-spot lesion, and 5 surfaces a small discolored lesion. Five teeth were sound. The occlusal surface was imaged with a CCD camera. Light in the blue and red portions of the electromagnetic spectrum was selected by means of Schott glass filters. From the obtained images, average effective decadic optical thickness differences were determined. These were plotted as a function of average mineral loss assessed by means of wavelength-independent microradiography. The correlation coefficient between the average effective decadic optical thickness difference and average mineral loss was r = 0.79 (95% CI: 0.47 ... 0.93). Different sources of variation that influence the observed correlation were defined and quantified. From these measurements, the correlation coefficient between average effective decadic optical thickness difference and "true' average mineral loss was estimated to be r = 0.92 (95% CI: 0.77 ... 0.97). The results indicate that early and, in principle, also quantitative diagnosis of approximal caries lesions is feasible when wavelength-dependent light propagation through carious tissues is utilized.