The Relative Location of the Dye Staining Endpoint Indicated With Polypropylene Glycol-Based Caries Dye versus Conventional Propylene Glycol-Based Caries Dye

OBJECTIVES: This study determined the difference in the location of the caries dye staining endpoint of 1% Acid Red dye in propylene glycol versus that of 1% Acid Red dye in polypropylene glycol. METHODS: Freshly extracted permanent molar crowns with primary occlusal carious lesions were chisel-split axially to expose the lesion in cross-section on both halves. One half was stained with propylene glycol-based dye and the other with polypropylene glycol-based dye. For the control group, both halves were stained with propylene glycol-based dye. The dye staining front was marked on digital images of the stained split surfaces, and the images were aligned using reference notches. The distance between the marked staining front lines was measured in five locations, and the measurement protocol was repeated. Weighted averages and a 95% confidence interval for the distance between marked staining front lines were calculated for the control and experimental groups. RESULTS: The weighted average distance for the experimental group (0.298 mm, 95% confidence interval 0.240 mm – 0.357 mm) was about four times that of the control group (0.070 mm, 95% confidence interval 0.051 mm – 0.089 mm). Generally, the marked staining line for the polypropylene glycol-based dye specimens was located shallow (occlusal) to the propylene glycol-based staining line (range −0.12 mm to 0.66 mm). CONCLUSIONS: The staining endpoint of 1% Acid Red dye in polypropylene glycol is shallower than that of 1% Acid Red dye in propylene glycol. The method is useful for comparing staining endpoints of caries dye formulations. (Eur J Dent 2008;2:29–36)