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An intra-oral quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) camera is currently being evaluated in a 1-year clinical trial of 150 children (aged 9-12 years, DMFS 0-8) in Indiana. Children are examined every 4 months. A subset of 14 children was seen monthly for 4 months and then bimonthly to check the adequacy of the 4-month regular examination period. We provided toothbrushes and paste and asked the children to brush as usual. At each visit they brushed with water to remove plaque prior to the examination. In a darkened room the QLF camera (Inspektor Research Systems) guided blue/violet light (Ď = 370±50 nm) towards the teeth and the remitted fluorescence was captured through a yellow filter (Ď >520 nm). Images were analysed on a computer for lesion area and fluorescence loss (QLF 1.96, Inspektor Research Systems). The children had 3.0 (SD 3.3) filled/ sealed or cavitated surfaces and 16.7 (SD 4.4) surfaces with initial lesions. Four children showed lesion regression (fluorescence) for 2 months (one-way Anova, p<0.01) and then stabilized. In 1 child, the lesions regressed (area, fluorescence) for 2 months, then relapsed and after 8 months the lesions progressed compared to baseline (one-way Anova, p<0.01). Nine children showed no significant differences between visits. The combined subset data showed significant lesion regression for 2 months (one-way Anova, p<0.05) and no significant changes afterwards. Overall oral hygiene improved for 3 months, probably due to study participation, and frequent examinations probably prolonged this effect. Frequent examination merely showed the repeatability of the QLF system. We conclude that for clinical studies, 4-6 months between examinations is more appropriate than 1-2 months. Supported in part by the Procter & Gamble Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. |