Academic Journal
Evaluation of developmental defects of enamel and differential diagnosis from dental caries using quantitative light-induced fluorescence technology: A cross-sectional investigation.
| Τίτλος: | Evaluation of developmental defects of enamel and differential diagnosis from dental caries using quantitative light-induced fluorescence technology: A cross-sectional investigation. |
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| Συγγραφείς: | Lee SJ; Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Oral Science Research Center, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea., Choi HJ; Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Oral Science Research Center, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea., Lee J; Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Oral Science Research Center, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea., Song JS; Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Oral Science Research Center, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea., Lee KE; Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Oral Science Research Center, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea., Kang CM; Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Oral Science Research Center, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: KANGCM@yuhs.ac. |
| Πηγή: | Journal of dentistry [J Dent] 2026 Apr; Vol. 167, pp. 106546. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Feb 03. |
| Τύπος έκδοσης: | Journal Article |
| Γλώσσα: | English |
| Στοιχεία περιοδικού: | Publisher: Elsevier Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 0354422 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1879-176X (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 03005712 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Dent Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Publication: Kidlington : Elsevier Original Publication: Bristol, Eng., Wright. |
| Ιατρικοί όροι (MeSH): | Dental Caries*/diagnosis , Dental Caries*/diagnostic imaging , Quantitative Light-Induced Fluorescence*/methods , Dental Enamel*/pathology , Dental Enamel*/diagnostic imaging , Dental Enamel Hypomineralization*/diagnosis , Dental Enamel Hypomineralization*/diagnostic imaging , Developmental Defects of Enamel*/diagnosis , Developmental Defects of Enamel*/diagnostic imaging, Dental Enamel Hypoplasia/diagnosis ; Humans ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Child ; ROC Curve ; Female ; Adolescent ; Male ; Young Adult ; Fluorescence ; Child, Preschool |
| Περίληψη: | Objectives: Dental caries and developmental defects of enamel (DDE) are common conditions that impact oral health. Quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) is widely used for detecting dental caries, but its ability to identify DDE remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate fluorescence differences among sound, carious, and DDE-affected teeth using QLF, and to differentiate white hypomineralization from incipient caries. Methods: Data from 704 teeth in 137 patients under 20 years old were analyzed. QLF images were acquired, and fluorescence parameters were measured. Statistical tests included Chi-square, Fisher's exact, Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, Linear mixed-effects models, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses. Results: ΔF values progressively decreased and ΔR values increased from sound to DDE-affected to carious teeth (p < 0.001). Within DDE, fluorescence changes differed significantly according to defect subtype, with combined defects showing the greatest mineral loss and bacterial activity (p < 0.001 for ΔF, p = 0.008 for ΔR). White hypomineralization showed higher ΔF values and lower ΔR values than yellow/brown hypomineralization (p < 0.001). Significant fluorescence differences were observed between white hypomineralization and International Caries Detection and Assessment System scores 1 and 2 lesions (p < 0.001). ROC analysis revealed excellent accuracy for distinguishing white hypomineralization from incipient caries, with areas under the curve of 0.970 for ΔF mean and 0.979 for ΔR mean. The optimal cutoff values were -7.65 for ΔF mean and 23.50 for ΔR mean, respectively. Conclusions: QLF provides effective quantitative support for differentiating DDE from incipient caries. Clinical Significance: Quantitative light-induced fluorescence provides objective parameters for differentiating developmental defects of enamel from incipient dental caries. By offering quantitative cutoff values, this approach supports more accurate diagnosis of clinically ambiguous white spot lesions, reduces the risk of overtreatment, and facilitates prevention-oriented and minimally invasive treatment planning in routine dental practice. (Copyright © 2026 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.) |
| Competing Interests: | Declaration of competing interest There is no potential conflict of interest relevant to this article. |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: Dental caries; Developmental defects of enamel; Hypomineralization; Hypoplasia; Quantitative light-induced fluorescence |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260205 Date Completed: 20260707 Latest Revision: 20260707 |
| Update Code: | 20260707 |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.jdent.2026.106546 |
| PMID: | 41643926 |
| Βάση Δεδομένων: | MEDLINE |
| ISSN: | 1879-176X |
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| DOI: | 10.1016/j.jdent.2026.106546 |