Intraoral Scanners Match Visual Exams in Detecting Dental Caries

Hand-held intraoral scanners (IOSs) can generate detailed 3D images of teeth and surrounding oral structures. When combined with fluorescence technology, these scanners may help distinguish dental caries from healthy tooth surfaces. To assess their diagnostic performance, researchers compared caries detection using IOS-based 3D models—evaluated in color alone and in color with fluorescence (Figure 1)—with conventional visual examination. Figure 1 .

IOS-generated 3D models displayed in natural color (left) and natural color with fluorescence overlay (right). Source: JMIR Public Health and Surveillance The study involved 216 children whose teeth were examined visually using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS). Four dentists independently assessed the corresponding 3D intraoral scan models. Detection of caries using color-only 3D models was comparable to visual…