Aim: To determine the degree of association between visual and tactile methods of caries removal compared with caries detector dye and laser fluorescence device (DIAGNOdent), which detects the degree of demineralization; to determine the presence of Streptococcus mutans via culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques; and to find a suitable method for caries removal.
Materials and methods: A total of 75 patients were divided into three groups: visual and tactile (Group A), visual and tactile with caries detector dye (Group B), and visual and tactile with caries detector dye along with laser florescence readings (Group C). Caries removal was carried out using visual and tactile methods, caries detector dye, and laser fluorescence, and the samples obtained were subjected to culture and PCR. The data obtained were statistically analyzed using Pearson's chi-square test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Tukey's post hoc test.
Results: Visual and tactile along with caries detector dye and laser florescence (Group C) is the most efficient method for caries removal.
Conclusion: Caries detector dye along with visual, tactile examination and laser fluorescence is a valuable and superior tool for clinicians that aids in better caries removal and can prevent the overzealous removal of tooth structure.
Keywords: Caries detector dye; MID; PCR; Streptococcus mutans; caries removal; laser florescence (LF).