• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.115-124
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• 2013

Recently, there have been improvements in diagnostic methods for the assessment of early caries lesions. The reason is that dental professionals are seeking methods to reliably detect incipient dental caries and to remineralize them. This review examines the literature on principles, theoretical background, and history of the Quantitative Light-Induced Fluorescence (QLF) system (Inspektor Research Systems BV, The Netherlands). Furthermore, this paper discusses the potential application of QLF system to clinical practice for educational purpose, enabling dental hygiene students to perform oral health assessment using the QLF system. In addition, the clinical application of QLF system can motivate patients by providing additional visual information about caries and bacterial activity. The evidences on validity and reliability of the QLF system for detection of longitudinal changes in de/remineralization and caries were examined. The QLF system is capable of monitoring and quantifying mineral changes in early caries lesions. Therefore, it can be used to assess the impacts of caries preventive measures on the remineralization and reversal of the caries process. And the QLF system is a very promising equipment to assess educational effectiveness for dental hygiene students in their learning process. In conclusion, the QLF system is the most effective technology for more sensitive staging of caries and treatment without surgical intervention.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.432-438
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• 2017

PURPOSE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vitro validity of quantitative light-induced fluorescence-digital (QLF-D) and laser fluorescence (DIAGNOdent) for assessing proximal caries in extracted premolars, using digital radiography as reference method. MATERIALS AND METHODS. A total of 102 extracted premolars with similar lengths and shapes were used. A single operator conducted all the examinations using three different detection methods (bitewing radiography, QLF-D, and DIAGNOdent). The bitewing x-ray scale, QLF-D fluorescence loss (${\Delta}F$), and DIAGNOdent peak readings were compared and statistically analyzed. RESULTS. Each method showed an excellent reliability. The correlation coefficient between bitewing radiography and QLF-D, DIAGNOdent were -0.644 and 0.448, respectively, while the value between QLF-D and DIAGNOdent was -0.382. The kappa statistics for bitewing radiography and QLF-D had a higher diagnosis consensus than those for bitewing radiography and DIAGNOdent. The QLF-D was moderately to highly accurate (AUC = 0.753 - 0.908), while DIAGNOdent was moderately to less accurate (AUC = 0.622 - 0.784). All detection methods showed statistically significant correlation and high correlation between the bitewing radiography and QLF-D. CONCLUSION. QLF-D was found to be a valid and reliable alternative diagnostic method to digital bitewing radiography for in vitro detection of proximal caries.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.391-400
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the difference of remineralization effects of various anti-cariogenic toothpastes on artificial carious lesions in primary and permanent teeth using quantitative light-induced fluorescence-digital (QLF-D) system. Sound human primary (n = 48) and permanent teeth (n = 48) were randomly divided into following groups : control group (Group 1), fluoride toothpaste (Group 2), functionalized tricalcium phosphate (fTCP) + fluoride toothpaste (Group 3), and casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) toothpaste (Group 4). Specimens were prepared by exposure in a demineralizing solution and then treated using the different toothpastes twice daily during 14 days. All specimens were analyzed with the QLF-D system. QLF data analysis indicated three different toothpastes showed significant remineralizing effects compared to Group 1 in both primary and permanent teeth. Also, the remineralizing effects in Group 3 and 4 were significantly higher than in Group 2. This study suggested that the toothpastes containing fTCP + fluoride and CPP-ACP have the significant anti-cariogenic effects on enamel demineralization in both primary and permanent teeth, and QLF-D is an useful device to assess the incipient carious lesion and remineralization effects of the anti-cariogenic materials quantitatively. Therefore, clinicians can consider the QLF-D system for the evaluation of demineralization and remineralization in primary and permanent teeth.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.611-619
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• 2005

The aim of this study was to apply the quantitative light-induced fluorescence(QLF) and use of fluorescein-enhanced QLF method for quantitative assessment of early enamel demineralization in vitro, comparing effectiveness of light sources : argon laser, halogen lamp, light emitting diode (LED) and plasma arc lamp. Sixty extracted teeth were used, prepared by gentle pumicing and coating in an acid-resistant nail-varnish, except for an exposure to a demineralizing solution. Teeth were removed at regular intervals (24, 48 and 72hrs), air-dried and QLF image were taken. Mineral loss, as measured by difference of optical density, was recorded. For dyeenhanced QLF a 0.075% sodium fluorescein dye was applied after QLF examination and mineral loss was recorded. The following result were obtained : 1. Comparing with mean difference of optical density, plasma arc lamp was higher than other light sources in all group (p<0.05). 2. Comparing each group with mean difference of optical density, there was significant different using plasma are lamp and halogen lamp. 3. For use of dye-enhanced QLF, comparing with mean difference of optical density, plasma arc lamp were higher than other light sources in all group(p<0.05). 4. With this model dye-enhanced QLF compared with QLF in optical density, dye-enhanced QLF was higher than QLF in optical density. From the results presented in this paper, it was concluded that plasma light source was more effective compared with other light source for the detection and the quantification of early enamel caries.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.405-413
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• 2021

The purpose of this in vivo study was to assess the clinical screening performance of a quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) device in detecting proximal caries in primary molars. Fluorescence loss, red autofluorescence and a simplified QLF score for proximal caries (QS-proximal) were evaluated for their validity in detecting proximal caries in primary molars compared to bitewing radiography. Three hundred and forty-four primary molar surfaces were included in the study. Carious lesions were scored according to lesion severity assessed by visual-tactile and radiographic examinations. The QLF images were analyzed for two quantitative parameters, fluorescence loss and red autofluorescence, as well as for QS-proximal. For both quantitative parameters and QS-proximal, the sensitivity, specificity and area under receiver operating curve (AUROC) were calculated as a function of the radiographic scoring index at enamel and dentin caries levels. Both quantitative parameters showed fair AUROC values for detecting dentine level caries (△F = 0.794, △R = 0.750). QS-proximal showed higher AUROC values (0.757 - 0.769) than that of visual-tactile scores (0.653) in detecting dentine level caries. The QLF device showed fair screening performance in detecting proximal caries in primary molars compared to bitewing radiography.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.225-230
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• 2016

Enamel microabrasion has become accepted as a conservative, nonrestorative method of removing intrinsic and superficial dysmineralization defects from dental fluorosis, restoring esthetics with minimal loss of enamel. However, it can be difficult to determine if restoration is necessary in dental fluorosis, because the lesion depth is often not easily recognized. This case report presents a method for analysis of enamel hypoplasia that uses quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) followed by a combination of enamel microabrasion with carbamide peroxide home bleaching. We describe the utility of QLF when selecting a conservative treatment plan and confirming treatment efficacy. In this case, the treatment plan was based on QLF analysis, and the selected combination treatment of microabrasion and bleaching had good results.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.65-75
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• 2022

The aim of this study was to evaluate QLF (quantitative light-induced fluorescence) technology for the caries detection in primary teeth and validate the relationships between the cavity volume of carious lesions and QLF analysis results. Total 125 tooth surfaces include 53 occlusal surfaces, and 72 proximal surfaces were investigated with the portable QLF device for detection of dental caries in primary molars. Micro-CT radiograph was also performed to classify carious lesions and calculate the cavity volume. QLF showed good accuracy and reliability (sensitivity 0.75 - 0.94, specificity 0.82 - 0.95, and AUROC 0.88 - 0.98) for the caries detection in primary teeth except 𝚫R average results of proximal caries which showed relatively low values. Statistically significant relationships were found between 𝚫F average, QS-Index and the cavity volume according to Spearman rank-order correlation coefficients (r = 0.805 - 0.832, p < 0.001). QLF detection method would be a harmless and reliable way for children to diagnose dental caries without the concern about radiation exposure.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.219-226
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• 2021

Background: Proper detection and management of dental plaque are essential for individual oral health. We aimed to evaluate the maturation level of dental plaque using a two-tone disclosing agent and to compare it with the fluorescence of dental plaque on the quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) image to obtain primary data for the development of a new dental plaque scoring system. Methods: Twenty-eight subjects who consented to participate after understanding the purpose of the study were screened. The images of the anterior teeth were obtained using the QLF device. Subsequently, dental plaque was stained with a two-tone disclosing solution and a photograph was obtained with a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera. The staining scores were assigned as follows: 0 for no staining, 1 for pink staining, and 2 for blue staining. The marked points on the DSLR images were selected for RGB color analysis. The relationship between dental plaque maturation and the red/green (R/G) ratio was evaluated using Spearman's rank correlation. Additionally, different red fluorescence values according to dental plaque accumulation were assessed using one-way analysis of variance followed by Scheffe's post-hoc test to identify statistically significant differences between the groups. Results: A comparison of the intensity of red fluorescence according to the maturation of the two-tone stained dental plaque confirmed that R/G ratio was higher in the QLF images with dental plaque maturation (p<0.001). Correlation analysis between the stained dental plaque and the red fluorescence intensity in the QLF image confirmed an excellent positive correlation (p<0.001). Conclusion: A new plaque scoring system can be developed based on the results of the present study. In addition, these study results may also help in dental plaque management in the clinical setting.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.506-515
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• 2004

The objective of this study was to compare the rate of in vitro demineralization of bovine permanent (BP), human deciduous (HD) and human permanent (HP) enamel. Twenty aye flattened and polished enamel samples for each group (BP, HD, HP) were immersed in a demineralizing solution (0.1 mol/L lactic acid, 0.2% Carbopol 907, and 50% saturated hydroxyapatite) for 1, 2, 4 or 8 days. All 25 samples from each group were subjected to Quantitative light induced fluorescence analysis (QLF) and 5 samples from each group were randomly selected for Transverse Microradiography analysis (TMR). Integrated mineral loss (IML) and lesion depth (LD) were determined by TMR. The fluorescence radiance (FR) of sound enamel $(FR_S)$, demineralized enamel $(FR_D)$ were determined by QLF and FR ratio $(FR_D/FR_S)$ was calculated. Bovine enamel samples showed significant correlation between FR ratio and lesion depth(p<0.05) and deciduous enamel samples does not showed significant correlation between FR ratio and lesion depth(p>0.05). Permanent enamel samples showed significant correlation between FR ratio and lesion depth(p<0.05) The constant of demineralization time between FR ratio from regression analysis were as follows: bovine enamel was -4.643(p<0.05) deciduous enamel was -5.421(p<0.05) and permanent enamel was -4.435(p<0.05).

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.218-225
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• 2015

This study used sodium fluorescein to improve imaging diagnostic ability by increasing the fluorescence difference between sound enamel and caries lesions. It also made it easier to discriminate between stain and caries lesions using quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF). Half of the specimen surface was covered with nail varnish as a control. Specimens were divided randomly in six decalcification groups and decalcified for different lengths of time. Then, ${\Delta}F$ was measured using QLF-D. After applying 0.075% sodium fluorescein, we measured ${\Delta}F$ again and compared it with the initial value. After cutting the central portion of the specimen, we measured the lesion depth using scanning electron microscopy. The lesion surfaces observed with QLF were darker than normal enamel, whereas they were lighter than normal enamel after applying fluorescein. Longer decalcification time was associated with greater fluorescent dye penetration. The ${\Delta}F$ measured after applying fluorescein was higher than the initial value (p < 0.05). Due to QLF measurement using fluorescein being more sensitive for diagnosing early decalcification, this approach will enable early diagnosis of dental caries before the cavity formation stage, allowing the treatment of early caries lesions. With QLF and sodium fluorescein, we can easily discriminate between stain and caries lesions.