Karies - Korrelation quantitative lichtinduzierte Fluoreszenz, Mikrohärte und Mikroradiographie

The aim of this in-vitro study was to investigate the extent of
autofluorescence in carious human dentine in comparison to the
established caries diagnostic methods of microhardness testing,
microradiography and histology. For this, 21 extracted, permanent
human teeth with dentine lesions were chosen and embedded in
methylmethacrylate. Then they were sectioned through the centre of
the lesion, and approximately 150 µm thin slices were prepared
parallel to the cut surface. The microhardness was tested on the
block surfaces; the slices of the teeth were used to test the other
investigative techniques. The fluorescence analysis was performed
at an emission of over 515 nm due to 450 nm – 490 nm excitation and
an emission of over 615 nm due to 530 nm – 585 nm excitation. The
fluorescence scans corresponded to the mineral loss profiles as
well as to the microhardness profiles and the carious expansion
seen in the histological analysis. The differences between the two
tested fluorescence filter systems were very small. The correlation
between lesion depth, derived from microhardness testing and
microradiography, and fluorescence plots were between 0.85 and
0.90. The results for histopathology were even better. It can be
concluded from these outcomes that fluorescence can be used as a
marker for carious dentine.