Analysis of proximal caries diagnostic methods

An integrative review

Abstract

Introduction: The diagnosis of interproximal dental caries is one of the greatest challenges in the dental clinic. Objective: To identify the current evidence for the best diagnosis of interproximal caries lesions in deciduous and permanent teeth. Methods: This is an integrative literature review, based on the PRISMA methodology, with a qualitative analysis. The guiding question directed the search in the PubMed and LILACS databases, covering the period from 2018 to 2023. The following descriptors were used: management, managing, detection, diagnosis, dental caries, caries, proximal caries and approximal; associated with the Boolean operators OR and AND. Results: Four articles were selected for this review. The studies included used different methods to diagnose proximal caries, involving the permanent and deciduous dentitions. The most recommended are visual inspection (VIS), due to its effectiveness and low cost, associated with radiographic examination (RAD). However, the simultaneous use of VIS and RAD in the deciduous dentition has not been recommended, and only direct visual inspection can be carried out after temporarily separating the teeth using rubber bands. Infrared light transillumination can be used as a diagnostic adjunct to RAD. Quantitative light-induced fluorescence technology can also be used to detect small changes in mineralization in non-cavitated early carious lesions. Conclusions: Different methods can be used to detect interproximal caries, but none of them alone provides accurate and reliable results in all circumstances. Therefore, combining these tests can provide more favorable results in clinical practice.