Confocal laser scanning microscopic analysis of the depth of dentin caries-like lesions in primary and permanent teeth.

This study analyzed comparatively, by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), the depth of caries-like lesions produced by biological and chemical artificial models in permanent and primary dentin. Six primary molars and six premolars were used. The occlusal enamel was removed and a nail polish layer was applied on the specimens, except for a 4 x 2 mm area on dentin surface. Half of specimens were immersed in acid gel for 14 days (chemical model) and the other half was immersed in BHI broth with S. mutans for 14 days (biological model). After development of artificial caries, the crowns were longitudinally sectioned on the center of the carious lesion. Three measurements of carious dentin depth were made in each specimen by CLSM. Measurements depths were compared between the caries models and between tooth types by one-way ANOVA and Tukey test (alpha=5%). For permanent teeth, the biological model showed significantly higher (p<0.05) caries depth values than the chemical model. For primary teeth, no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) was found between the caries models. The artificial caries model influenced caries depth only in permanent teeth. There was no difference in carious dentin depth between permanent and primary teeth, regardless of the artificial caries model.