Department of Health Services Research and School of Dentistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
J Dent. 2013 Feb;41(2):127-32. doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2012.08.013. Epub 2012 Aug 30.
This study reports the development and assessment of a novel method using quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF), to determine whether QLF parameters ΔF and ΔQ were appropriate for aiding diagnosis and clinical decision making of early occlusal mineral loss by comparing QLF analysis with actual restorative management.
Following ethical approval, 46 subjects attending a dental teaching hospital were enrolled. White light digital (WL) and QLF images/analyses of 46 unrestored posterior teeth with suspected occlusal caries were made after a clinical decision had already been taken to explore fissures operatively. WL and QLF imaging/analysis were repeated after initial cavity preparation. The type of restorative treatment was determined by the supervising clinician independent of any imaging performed. Actual restorative management carried out was recorded as fissure sealant/preventive resin restoration (F/P) or class I occlusal restoration (Rest.) thus reflecting the extent of intervention (=gold standard). All QLF images were analysed independently.
The results showed statistically significant differences between the two treatment groups ΔF (p=0.002) (mean 22.60 - F/P and 28.80 - Rest.) and ΔQ (p=0.012) (mean 230.49 - F/P and 348.30 - Rest.).
ΔF and ΔQ values may be useful in aiding clinical diagnosis and decision making in relation to the management of early mineral loss and restorative intervention of occlusal caries.
QLF has the potential to be a valuable tool for caries diagnosis in clinical practice.
本研究报告了一种使用定量光诱导荧光（QLF）的新方法的开发和评估，通过比较 QLF 分析与实际修复管理，确定 QLF 参数 ΔF 和 ΔQ 是否适合辅助诊断和临床决策早期咬合面矿物质损失。
在获得伦理批准后，纳入 46 名就诊于牙科教学医院的受试者。在已经决定对可疑窝沟龋的 46 颗未修复的后牙进行手术探查裂沟后，对其进行白光数字（WL）和 QLF 图像/分析。在初次备洞后重复进行 WL 和 QLF 成像/分析。监督临床医生独立于任何进行的成像来确定修复治疗类型。实际进行的修复治疗记录为窝沟封闭/预防性树脂修复（F/P）或 I 类咬合面修复（Rest.），从而反映干预程度（=金标准）。所有 QLF 图像均独立进行分析。
结果显示，两种治疗组的 ΔF（p=0.002）（均值 22.60-F/P 和 28.80-Rest.）和 ΔQ（p=0.012）（均值 230.49-F/P 和 348.30-Rest.）之间存在统计学显著差异。
ΔF 和 ΔQ 值可能有助于辅助临床诊断和决策，以管理早期矿物质损失和窝沟龋的修复干预。
QLF 有潜力成为临床实践中龋病诊断的有用工具。
