Electrical conductance for the detection of dental caries

Abstract

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Data collection and analysisTwo review authors extracted data independently using a piloted study data extraction form based on the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 (QUADAS-2). Sensitivity and specificity with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported for each study. This information was displayed as coupled forest plots, and plotted as summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) plots, displaying the sensitivity-specificity points for each study. Due to variability in thresholds we estimated diagnostic accuracy using hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (HSROC) methods. Main resultsWe included seven studies reporting a total of 719 tooth sites or surfaces, with an overall prevalence of the target condition of 73% (528 tooth sites or surfaces). The included studies evaluated two index tests: the electronic caries monitor (ECM) (four studies, 475 tooth surfaces) and CarieScan Pro (three studies, 244 tooth surfaces). Six studies used histology as the reference standard, one used an enhanced visual examination. No study was considered to be at low risk of bias across all four domains or low concern for applicability or both. All studies were at high (five studies) or unclear (two studies) risk of bias for the patient selection domain. We judged two studies to be at unclear risk of bias for the index test domain, and one study to be at high risk of bias for the reference standard and flow and timing domains. We judged three studies to be at low concern for applicability for patient selection, and all seven studies to be of low concern for reference standard and flow and timing domains.Studies were synthesised using a hierarchical method for meta-analysis. There was variability in the results of the individual studies, with sensitivities which ranged from 0.55 to 0.98 and specificities from 0 to 1.00. These extreme values of specificity may be explained by a low number of healthy tooth surfaces in the included samples. The diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) was 15.65 (95% CI 1.43 to 171.15), and indicative of the variability in the included studies. Through meta-regression we observed no meaningful di erence in accuracy according to device type or dentition. Due to the small number of studies we were unable to formally investigate other potential sources of heterogeneity.We judged the certainty of the evidence as very low, and downgraded for risk of bias due to limitations in the design and conduct of the included studies, imprecision arising from the relatively small number of surfaces studied, and inconsistency due to the variability of results.Electrical conductance for the detection of dental caries (Review)

Enamel Caries Detection and Diagnosis: An Analysis of Systematic Reviews

“…We identified 5 Cochrane DTA systematic reviews meeting the following criteria ( Macey et al 2020 ; Macey, Walsh, Riley, Glenny, Worthington, Clarkson, et al 2021 ; Macey, Walsh, Riley, Glenny, Worthington, O’Malley, et al 2021 ; Macey, Walsh, Riley, Hogan, et al 2021 ; Walsh et al 2021 ).…”

“…To inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries, we recently authored a suite of Cochrane diagnostic test accuracy (DTA) reviews of 1) fluorescence, 2) visual or visual-tactile examination according to detailed criteria, 3) radiographic imaging and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), 4) optical coherence tomography and transillumination, and 5) electrical conductance or impedance ( Macey et al 2020 ; Macey, Walsh, Riley, Glenny, Worthington, Clarkson, et al 2021 ; Macey, Walsh, Riley, Glenny, Worthington, O’Malley, et al 2021 ; Macey, Walsh, Riley, Hogan, et al 2021 ; Walsh et al 2021 ). These were published as separate reviews, so only naïve comparisons of the technologies could be made.…”

The silent epidemic of common oral diseases among the Arab population

“…Dental caries is not only the common childhood disease, but also affects people of all ages throughout their lives. [ 9 10 ] The untreated decay of the permanent teeth is prevalent, affecting over 40% of the population at all ages, and it is the commonest condition of the 291 diseases listed in the Global Burden of Disease Study. [ 11 ] Dental caries can induce eating and sleeping difficulties, which in turn may affect child development, and it is the main reason cited for absence from both school and work.…”

Dental caries and associated factors among Chinese children and adolescents

“…Dental caries is a disease that is chronic undergoing disruption of teeth under multiple factors dominated by bacteria [1–3] . And it is a global public health problem and the most common non-communicable disease [4] .…”

“…Dental caries is a disease that is chronic undergoing disruption of teeth under multiple factors dominated by bacteria. [1][2][3] And it is a global public health problem and the most common noncommunicable disease. [4] In developed countries, the cost of treating this problem is higher, accounting for 5% to 10% of the health care budget, and it is also a common cause of hospitalization.…”