White Spot Lesion: The inactive lesion

Diagnosing and Differentiating Between Active and Inactive lesions: The inactive Lesion

Classification	Description
White spot stage 1. Inactive caries (Intact surface)	Surface of enamel is white, brown or black. It is glossy with no loss of luster; feels smooth and hard when the tip of the probe is gently moved across the surface. No clinically detectable loss of enamel. Smooth surface lesion typically located away from the gingival margin. Pit and fissures have intact fissure appearance. Lesion may extend along the walls of the fissure.
White spot stage 2. Inactive caries (surface discontinuity)	Surface of enamel is white, brown or black. It is glossy with no loss of luster; feels smooth and hard when the tip of the probe is gently moved across the surface. Localized surface defect (microcavity) in enamel only. No undermined enamel or softened floor detectable with the explorer. The root/dentin lesion is hard and dark.
Cavitated lesion. Inactive caries	Enamel/dentin cavity easily visible with the naked eye; surface of cavity feels hardon gentle probing and appears shiney . No pulpal involvement.

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.