Efetividade do aparelho de fluorescência a laser no monitoramento da desmineralização e remineralização de lesões de cárie em superfície oclusal – estudo in situ

Resumo (EN)

Introduction - The aim of this in situ study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the laser fluorescence device (DIAGNOdent) in monitoring the demineralization and remineralization of occlusal caries surfaces. Material and Methods - Eight volunteers were selected for the study, and used an intrabucal appliance with four sterilized blocks of occlusal sound surfaces from premolar teeth. The occlusal surfaces were measured with a DIAGNOdent laser. During a period of fourteen days the volunteers drop a 20% sucrose solution on the blocks eight times a day, and used non-fluoride dentifrice. After this period, a new measurement with the DIAGNOdent was carried out and two blocks were removed for Knoop microhardness test to verify surface demineralization. The volunteers brushed the remaining surfaces with fluoride dentifrice (1100 ppm) in the device without the plastic mesh for more twenty eight days. After this period, new measurement of the remaining surfaces in the device were carried through with DIAGNOdent. The surfaces were removed after that. All the occlusal surfaces were submitted to the Knoop cross-sectional microhardness test. Results - The effectiveness of the DIAGNOdent in monitoring the demineralization and the remineralization was evaluated. In Knoop hardness test, there was statistically significant difference between demineralization and remineralization groups (p=0,016). There was negative correlation (r= -0,1448) between the DIAGNO dent values and the Knoop hardness test. Conclusion - was concluded that remineralization process was efficient in this study, although the DIAGNOdent laser can not monitor little mineral alterations.