This systematic review and meta-analysis looked at twenty-one studies involving children to see how well laser fluorescence devices detect dental caries. The researchers compared these laser tools against conventional visual and radiographic methods used by dentists today.
The analysis found that the laser devices showed good sensitivity for detecting early lesions. At a specific threshold, the tools correctly identified about 84 percent of early cases. They also showed strong specificity, correctly ruling out healthy teeth about 89 percent of the time at another threshold. The overall diagnostic accuracy was high across the different measurements.
However, the researchers noted important limitations. The results varied based on the settings used for the tests and the type of teeth being examined. Studies with higher risks of bias tended to report better results than more rigorous ones. Safety issues were not reported because none occurred in the reviewed studies.
The main takeaway is that these laser devices may be useful helpers for preventive diagnosis and monitoring. They should complement, rather than replace, standard visual and X-ray exams. Dentists should consider the variability in results when deciding how to use these tools in their practice.
