The performance of SoproLIFE for early detection of coronal caries using the International Caries Classification and Management System - A preliminary laboratory-based study

The aim of this laboratory-based study is to evaluate performance of the Light-Induced Fluorescence Evaluator (SoproLIFE) for early detection of coronal caries and to validate the findings using the International Caries Classification and Management System (ICCMS). A total of 56 freshly extracted teeth with coronal carious lesions were included. 74 regions of interest were identified. Visual assessments with International Caries Detection and Assessment Systems (ICDAS), radiographic information and SoproLIFE images were used to classify each region of interest according to the ICCMS as a reference standard. SoproLIFE specificity and sensitivity were calculated at the sound-enamel and dentine lesion levels. Inter and intra reproducibility of ICDAS were analysed and showed a moderate agreement (0.52) and (0.58) respectively. At the sound-initial caries level, the sensitivity and specificity for the SoproLIFE were 90.0%, 95.8% respectively, whilst for the dentine caries level, sensitivity was 100% with specificity of 53.8%. A low proportion of teeth with dental caries were classified as caries-free using the SoproLIFE (false negative=10%). As a conclusion, the performance of SoproLIFE was promising in distinguishing between early enamel carious lesions and sound surfaces. This detection tool could be suggested to be used with ICCMS to assist in the clinical decision-making process.

Automated summary

The aim of this laboratory-based study was to evaluate the performance of the Light-Induced Fluorescence Evaluator (SoproLIFE) for early detection of coronal caries and validate the findings using the International Caries Classification and Management System (ICCMS). The results showed promising performance of SoproLIFE in distinguishing between early enamel carious lesions and sound surfaces.