DEVELOPMENT OF OPTICAL CARIES ACTIVITY TEST USING DENTAL CURING LIGHT

The purpose of this study was to develop a practical caries activity test by fluorescence using laser, plasma light and halogen light. The subjects of study were 45 children of 7-8 years old Argon laser, plasma light and halogen light were irradiated to buccal or labial surface of all teeth. Fluorescence of initial carious lesion from teeth was observed through barrier filter and the number of teeth showing lesion was counted. Visual examination for the dDfFtT, mutans streptococci screening test and Lactobacilli colony counting were also done. Data analysis was accomplished by Axelsson's method. The result from the present study can be summarized as follows. 1. Laser, plasma light and halogen light could detect the initial carious lesions better than visual examination(p