Evaluation of the DIAGNOdent method for detection of carious lesions

During the past few decades, major changes have been observed not only in the prevalence of dental caries, but also in the distribution and pattern of the disease in the population. With the improvement of oral hygiene and/or changes of diet in combination with optimal fluoridation the progression of a carious lesion may be stopped or the lesion even be remineralized. Several studies have shown conventional visual and radiographic examinations to be inadequate for detection of primary and secondary carious lesions unless the lesions are relatively advanced, with considerable loss of tooth structure. There is clearly a need for improved methods to aid the clinical detection of primary and secondary caries.