Abstract:

  Background and Aim: Diagnosis of dental caries with Diagnodent device has been found to be comparable to visual and radiographic diagnostic methods. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Aging, Staining, and Bleaching on Diagnodent readings in composite resin restorations.

  Materials and Methods: This was an experimental in vitro study in which 108 disk-shaped specimens were fabricated from 6 different composite resins including: 3 M p60, Kerr point 4, Vivadent Heliomolar, Ultradent flow, Tetric flow and Kerr flow. The samples were divided into 3 groups. Group 1was aged in water, group 2 was stained with tea and group 3 was bleached with 16% Carbamide peroxide. Specimen Fluorescence was measured with Diagnodent (Kavo- U.S) before and after these treatments. Data were analyzed using Mixed repeated Measure Model ANOVA.

  Results : This study was performed on 108 composite resin specimens. All samples aged in water showed higher reading values only Tetric flow exhibited a lower mean value (P<0.001). All samples stained with tea showed higher readings(P<0.001) and all materials bleached with 16% Carbamide peroxide were reported to have lower values only Kerr flow exhibited a higher mean value than basic situation.

  Conclusion : The results indicate that aging and staining can result in an increase in the Diagnodent readings of the composite resin restorations while bleaching lead to a decreased the readings. However, the reported differences in Diagnodent readings were not significant enough to result in a false positive diagnosis of caries.