Table 1 Description of the criteria and threshold values for visual examination (VE) [51], bitewing radiography (BWR), near-infrared transillumination (NIRT), laser fluorescence measurement (LF) and alternating current impedance spectroscopy (ACIS) [25]
From: Comparison of novel and established caries diagnostic methods: a clinical study on occlusal surfaces
| VE | BWR | NIRT | LF | ACIS | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sound | 0 | Sound surface | 0 | No radiolucency | 0 | No less translucent spots | 0 | 0–12 | 0 | 0–20 |
| Enamel caries | 1 | First visual demineralization in dried enamel | 1 | Radiolucency in the outer half of the enamel | 1 | First or established lesion restricted to the enamel, no visible translucent dentin | 1 | 13–24 | 1 | 21–90 |
| 2 | First visual demineralization in dried enamel with a distinct change in moist enamel | 2 | Radiolucency restricted to the inner half of the enamel | |||||||
| 3 | Localized enamel breakdown without visible dentin | |||||||||
| Dentin caries | 4 | Underlying dark dentin shadow with or without enamel cavitation | 3 | Radiolucency restricted to the outer half of the dentin | 2 | Less translucent dentin or cavity detectable | 2 | 25–99 | 2 | 91–100 |
| 5 | Distinct cavitation with dentin exposition | 4 | Radiolucency restricted to the inner half of the dentin | |||||||