Diagnosing and Differentiating
Between Active and Inactive lesions: The Active Lesion
The following tables distinguishing between active
and inactive caries sites based on visual (color and glossy versus non-glossy
surface) and tactile information (rough versus smooth surface) obtained through
limited and careful use of the explorer.
|
Classification |
Description |
|
Sound |
Normal enamel
texture and glossiness. 
Smooth
surface intact,
smooth and glossy.
Pit and fissures intact possibly with some staining.
|
|
White spot
lesion stage 1. Activecaries (Intact surface) |
Surface of
enamel is whitish/yellowish opaque with loss of
luster. It feels rough when the tip of the probe is gently
moved across the
surface which usually is covered with plaque. No clinically detectable loss of
substance.
Smooth surface
caries lesion typically located close to gingival margin.
Pit and fissures have intact fissure morphology. Lesion
may extend
along the walls of the fissure.
|
|
White
spot lesion stage 2. Active caries
(surface
discontinuity) |
Surface of
enamel is whitish/yellowish opaque with
loss of luster and feels
rough when the tip of the
p robe is gently moved across the
surface.
Localized surface defect (microcavity) in enamel only may be
found.
No undermined enamel or softened floor detectable with the
explorer.
The root/dentin lesion is soft or leathery and
discolored.
|
|
Cavitated
lesion, active caries.
|
Enamel/dentin cavity easily visible with the naked eye; surface of
cavity feels soft   or
leathery on gentle
probing. There may or may not be pulpal involvement.
|
 Areas containing both active and inactive lesions are diagnosed
as active lesions.
|
This table and classification is a modification of
material found in Nyvad B, Machiulskiene V, Baelum V, Reliability of a
new caries diagnostic system differentiating between active and inactive caries
lesions. Caries Res, 33:252-260, 1999.