Optical quantification of caries-like lesions in vitro by use of a fluorescent dye.

An experimental method was developed for measurement of the fluorescence intensity of a dye that was introduced into caries-like lesions in vitro. A distinct pattern of change of fluorescence intensity with time appeared, displaying a plateau value and a peak value for each measurement. Both plateau and peak values showed a linear correlation with calcium loss, as measured with longitudinal microradiography. The correlation coefficients were r = 0.87 for plateau values and r = 0.89 for peak values. The difference in scattering by dry and wet caries lesions was also measured with the same equipment, which showed a linear correlation with calcium loss of r = -0.53.