The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effectiveness of laser fluorescence for monitoring in vitro remineralization of caries lesions. Seventeen natural enamel lesions in primary molars were each cut into two parts. One part was exposed, at room temperature, to a remineralizing solution (experimental) and the other part to water (control) for 28 days. Laser fluorescence readings were taken at the beginning of the experiment and during the experiment. At the end of the experiment, lesion depth in the experimental halves was significantly less than in the control halves (p < 0.01), suggesting that remineralization had occurred. However, the laser fluorescence readings showed no statistically significant changes during the experiment, either in the experimental or control halves. We conclude that laser fluorescence was not able to detect in vitro remineralization of natural incipient caries lesions of primary teeth.
Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel