Clinical effectiveness of high definition fluorescence camera in detection of initial occlusal caries

BACKGROUND: Although visual inspection is the preferred route in everyday clinical practise for detecting early caries lesions, novel technologies like light fluorescence-based devices (Vista Proof iX HD smart) have been developed to enhance early caries detection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Occlusal surface of 45 molar and 49 premolar teeth from 34 adult participants who fulfilled the eligibility criteria were examined by two observers using three diagnostic methods. Examination was performed visually using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS-II) followed by Vista Proof. Fissurotomy was applied for histological validation. Intra- and inter-observer agreement were measured for ICDAS-II and light-induced fluorescence camera using Kappa test. The overall diagnostic accuracy parameters, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of the (AUC) for caries detection by Vista Poof were evaluated. RESULTS: For ICDAS-II and Vista Proof methods, there was almost perfect intra- and inter-observer agreement. Based on ICDAS-II as a reference standard 1, Vista Proof showed a low level of agreement in enamel carious lesion detection with low sensitivity value of 48%, high specificity of 100%, and AUC was 0.112, while a high level of agreement in dentin carious lesion detection with high sensitivity value of 100%, low specificity of 48% and AUC was 0.888. Based on fissurotomy as reference standard 2, Vista Proof showed a high level of agreement in dentin carious lesion detection with high sensitivity value of 95% and 0% specificity and AUC was 0.814. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative light-induced fluorescence camera with reference to ICDAS-II is considered as an accurate diagnostic modality for detection of early occlusal caries. Histological findings validate the diagnostic accuracy of the camera in dentin. Key words:Histological validation, Initial caries, ICDAS, Light induced fluorescence, Vista Cam.