Polarization Microscopy of Dental Enamel with Reference to Incipient Carious Lesions

Introduction. The largest amount of information about the dental caries is provided by the International Caries Detection and Assessment II system (ICDAS II), which is known as evidence-based approach to clinical visual detection of dental caries and enables to detect the stage and depth of carious lesions from the slightest changes in dental enamel to visible cavities affecting dentin. This system has been developed by the group of leading experts in the field of cariology. The results obtained by determining the ICDAS II index contribute to making right clinical decision in the choice of prevention and treatment methods, as well as to predicting the carious progression. The aim of the study is to assess the prevalence and intensity of initial dental caries in people using the ICDAS II index. Materials and methods. A total of 32 patients aged 12 to 25 years were examined. During the dental examination, we assessed the prevalence of dental caries using the ICDAS II. Clinical findings were recorded in oral follow-up charts proposed by the ICDAS Foundation for Epidemiological Studies, which allow us to record dental hard tissue status using six codes: three for assessing carious changes in enamel and three for assessing carious changes in dentine in a sequence of growing severity. Statistical processing of the findings was performed using Student's t-test. Results. Carious lesions were detected in all study participants, their total number was 285, of which 140 (49.1%) had the code 1 and 145 (50.8%) had the code 2 according to the ICDAS II. On average, each of the participants had 9.28 ± 0.67 foci of enamel demineralization. The average number of lesions with codes 1 and 2 by the ICDAS II was respectively 4.54 ± 0.51 and 4.74 ± 0.38 (p> 0.05). The average intensity of dental caries increased with age from 8.29 ± 0.83 in 12-15 year old individuals to 9.39 ± 1.20 in 18-25 year old individuals (p> 0.05), mainly by the growth of the average number of the mean number of caries lesions with the code 1 according to the ICDAS II. Mostly carious lesions are found on the masticatory surfaces, their total number made up 159 (55.7%). 101 (35.4%) caries lesions were found on the vestibular and oral parts of the tooth surfaces, and 25 (8.9%) average lesions were detected on the proximal surfaces. The average intensity of caries detected on the chewing surfaces of the teeth was 5.15 ± 0.49 and was significantly higher than on the vestibular and oral (3.33 ± 0.57, p <0.05) and proximal (0.79 ± 0, 20, p <0.001) surfaces. Conclusion. The obtained results showed a high intensity of carious lesions, with their predominance in the active stages in the two age groups under the study. This proves the appropriateness of using diagnostic ICDAS criteria for early detection of initial caries and its proper treatment.

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Histological and microhardness evaluation of early artificial carious lesions in human and bovine enamel: in vitro study

Brazilian Dental Science ◽

10.14295/bds.2013.v16i4.929 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 49

Author(s):

Allan Kenji Masuda ◽

Mayra Fidelis Zamboni Quitero ◽

Luciana Cardoso Espejo-Trung ◽

Maria Aparecida Alves Cerqueira Luz

Keyword(s):

Polarized Light ◽

In Vitro Study ◽

The Body ◽

Polarization Microscopy ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Enamel Caries ◽

Carious Lesions ◽

Ph Cycling ◽

Bovine Enamel

Objective: Early carious lesions in bovine and humanenamel developed in vitro using a pH cycling regimenwere compared. Material and Methods: Fifteencentral bovine incisors and fifteen recently extractedhuman third molars were randomly divided into twogroups: ten for the cross-sectional microhardness test(MT) and five for polarized light microscopy (PLM)analysis. Enamel blocks measuring 5 x 5 mm weremade from the buccal face of the teeth. The blocksused for the MT were sliced into two halves: “A” and“B”. “A” slices were embedded in acrylic resin, withthe face of the dentin-enamel junction left exposedfor the MT prior to pH cycling. “B” slices and wholeblocks were coated with acid-resistant varnish,except a 3 x 3 mm central window, and submitted tothe pH cycling regimen (demineralizing solution for3 h and remineralizing solution for 21 h) over fiveconsecutive days. The “B” slices were then submittedto the MT and the whole blocks were processed forthe PLM study. Results: The PLM analysis revealedshallow, extensive lesions in the bovine enamel,hardly showing the superficial, dark and translucentzones, as well as deep cavity lesions in the humanenamel, with the body of the lesion and the darkzone evident. The MT revealed a significant decreasein microhardness in the superficial levels of thebovine enamel caries and at all depth levels of thehuman enamel caries. Conclusion: The pH cyclingregimen adopted led to the development of deeperand more demineralized carious lesions in humanenamel than bovine enamelKeywords Dental caries; Dental enamel; Microhardness tests; Polarization microscopy.

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MICROABRASÃO DO ESMALTE

Revista Científica Semana Acadêmica ◽

10.35265/2236-6717-211-9257 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (211) ◽

pp. 1-15

Author(s):

Karini de Lemos Costa

Keyword(s):

Treatment Time ◽

Dental Fluorosis ◽

Low Cost ◽

Dental Enamel ◽

Good Alternative ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Tooth Whitening ◽

Periodontal Tissues ◽

Carious Lesions ◽

Composite Resin Restorations

Enamel defects are described as changes in its structure characterized by local decrease or loss of its translucency from fluorosis, hypocalcifications, hypoplasias and inactive carious lesions with superficial and medium depth. The microabrasion of enamel selectively promotes the removal of its surface layer that presents color or structure modification through a mixture of abrasive and erosive agents mechanically. The association of these agents exposes a sub-layer of enamel with normal characteristics. This procedure can be used alone or associated with one or more aesthetic treatments, such as tooth whitening and composite resin restorations. Objective: to approach the microabrasion technique applied in dental enamel with changes in color and structure. Methodology: a non-systematic review of the scientific literature, published from 2009 to 2019, was carried out in the Virtual Health Library and in the academic Google. The inclusion criteria were articles in Portuguese and English, published in the last 10 years, that addressed the proposed theme. Conclusion: Dental microabrasion is a good alternative for aesthetic treatment for changes in the superficial structure of dental enamel, fluorosis and hypoplasia, because it wears little dental structure, restores aesthetics, does not cause damage to the pulp or periodontal tissues, requires little treatment time, does not require cavitary preparation, nor restorative material and is low cost. Aesthetic dissatisfaction is a concern of patients of all ages and the diagnosis of dental fluorosis should be the result of careful anamnesis and it should be taken into account that the etiology may be of various origins.

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Characterizing and Identifying Incipient Carious Lesions in Dental Enamel Using Micro-Raman Spectroscopy

Caries Research ◽

10.1159/000342432 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 47 (1) ◽

pp. 27-33 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

B. Mohanty ◽

D. Dadlani ◽

D. Mahoney ◽

A.B. Mann

Keyword(s):

Raman Spectroscopy ◽

Dental Enamel ◽

Micro Raman Spectroscopy ◽

Carious Lesions

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Decontamination of Hard Tissue Using a Scanning Pulsed 9.3-µm CO2 Laser

Open Access Journal of Dental Sciences ◽

10.23880/oajds-16000304 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Ali Badreddine

Keyword(s):

Laser Beam ◽

Co2 Laser ◽

Dental Enamel ◽

Polarization Microscopy ◽

Cross Contamination ◽

Cross Polarization ◽

Hard Tissue ◽

Colony Forming Units ◽

Viable Bacteria

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the use of a scanning 9.3-µm CO2 laser beam to reduce or eliminate bacteria on hard tissue as a new method of non-specific decontamination to prevent cross-contamination during dental or medical procedures. Methods: A low energy level of a 9.3-μm CO2 laser beam was designed to deliver overall uniform photothermal energy in a 2-mm-diameter beam to eliminate bacteria on the surface of dental enamel without damaging the surface of the tooth. The study was conducted in two parts. The first part consisted of 10 human molars polished to a 1-μm finish and inoculated with S. mutans. The bacteria were stained with methylene blue and imaged through cross-polarization microscopy, and the area of the imaged surface containing bacteria was analyzed using ImageJ. The second part of the study consisted of 20 uncleaned extracted human molars used for evaluating cross-contamination of bacteria by measuring bacteria Colony Forming Units (CFU) ejected during an aerosol-generating procedure in vitro. Tryptic soy agar (TSA) plates were used to collect bacteria while cutting enamel. The TSA plates were incubated at 35o C for 24 hours, after which bacteria colonies were counted. Results: Examination using cross-polarization microscopy and imaging showed that the CO2 laser eliminated >98% of bacteria on the surface without altering the surface of teeth and similarly >98% in the aerosol/splatter from cutting of the enamel. Conclusion: The 9.3-μm CO2 laser resulted in nearly a complete elimination of viable bacteria.

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Remineralization Potential of Nanohydroxyapatite Toothpaste Compared with Tricalcium Phosphate and Fluoride Toothpaste on Artificial Carious Lesions

International Journal of Dentistry ◽

10.1155/2021/5588832 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-14

Author(s):

Apa Juntavee ◽

Niwut Juntavee ◽

Praewpan Hirunmoon

Keyword(s):

Tricalcium Phosphate ◽

Polarized Light ◽

Dental Enamel ◽

Polymer Gel ◽

Lesion Depth ◽

Fluoride Toothpaste ◽

Carious Lesions ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Alternative Agent ◽

Ph Cycling

Introduction. Nanohydroxyapatite (nano-HA) has been utilized as an alternative agent for dental enamel remineralization. This study compared remineralization potential of nano-HA toothpaste (NHT), functionalized tricalcium phosphate toothpaste (TCPT), and fluoride toothpaste (FT) on carious lesions. Materials and Methods. Sixty extracted human premolars were prepared for artificial carious lesions with synthetic polymer gel. Samples were divided into four groups according to testing agents: NHT, TCPT, FT, and one group with no treatment (NT). Each group was subjected to pH-cycling with the application of toothpaste in slurry form twice a day (2-min each) for 10 days. Surface microhardness was measured before demineralization, after demineralization, and after pH-cycling. Hardness at different periods, percentage of hardness recovery (% HR), and percentage of remineralization potential (%RP) were determined and statistically analyzed with ANOVA and Tukey comparisons (α = 0.05). Polarized light microscopy (PLM) was utilized to assess lesion depth. Results. Significant remineralization of carious lesions was observed among different toothpastes compared to NT ( p < 0.05 ). No significant difference in remineralization potential was found among NHT, TCPT, and FT ( p > 0.05 ). No significant difference in % HR and % RP was seen among NHT, TCPT, and FT ( p > 0.05 ). PLM indicated a greater decrease in carious depth upon using NHT compared to TCPT and FT, with minimal increase in depth for NT. Conclusions. NHT has comparable capability to TCPT and FT in hardness recovery. However, decrease in carious depth was evidenced with PLM for NHT more than TCPT and FT. Thus, NHT was suggested as a potential remineralization product for treating initial carious lesions. Clinical Significance. The study showed that NHT had the potential to remineralize artificial carious lesion. It was confirmed in potential in the lesion depth reduction and forming a new enamel layer. NHT showed its capability as an alternative for dental caries therapeutic.

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