Presence of Developmental Defects of Enamel (DDE) by the Modified DDE Visual Index and Laser Fluorescence (DIAGNOdent)

Objective: To evaluate the presence of developmental defects of enamel (DDE) in permanent teeth by the analysis of the modifi ed DDE index and the use of a laser fl uorescence system (DIAGNOdent), aiming at determining whether the presence of DDE interfere in the DIAGNOdent readings, and correlating the results obtained by the modifi ed DDE index and DIAGNOdent. Method: Twenty individuals (age range: 6-17 years) had the buccal and lingual faces of some of their permanent teeth evaluated using the DIAGNOdent system. The DIAGNOdent measurements obtained from teeth with DDE were compared to those of their contra-lateral teeth without defects by the Mann-Whitney test. The DIAGNOdent measurements were also compared in teeth classifi ed as without DDE, teeth with hypocalcifi cation and teeth with hypoplasia, classifi ed by the DDE index, using the Kruskal-Wallis test. The correlation of the presence of these defects with the classifi cation by the modifi ed DDE index and the patients' caries experience (Spearman's correlation test) was also investigated. Results: In general, higher DIAGNOdent values were obtained for teeth with DDE compared to teeth without enamel alterations (p< 0.001). However, the correlation coeffi cient between the DIAGNOdent readings and the occurrence of enamel alterations was considered low (rSp= 0.31-p< 0.001). There was statistically signifi cant diff erence among the diff erent types of enamel alterations (p< 0.001). There was no correlation between the enamel alterations and dental caries (p> 0.05). Conclusion: The DIAGNOdent readings may be altered by the presence of DDE, possibly leading to misdiagnosis if they are considered alone.