The objective of this study was to compare in vitro the effectiveness of three methods for diagnosing carious lesions in 26 sites on palatal surfaces of 20 crowns in human permanent cuspids. Four examiners were given theoretical-practical guidance for diagnosis, by means of three methods: visual inspection, tactile (visual inspection - explorer probe with blunt tip); and videoscope (AcuCam System). To validate data, the teeth were sectioned parallel to the long axis with a diamond disk and analyzed histologically in a stereoscopic microscope with X40 magnification. Diagnoses compatible with the histological examination showed a percentile of accuracy of 40.4% for the visual inspection method, of 38.5% for the tactile examination, and of 41.3% for the videoscopic exam, results that did not demonstrate a statistically significant difference. Results obtained led to the conclusion that the three methods presented similar precision in the diagnosis of carious lesions. Of the methods studied, the videoscopic examination came closest to the histologic followed by the visual, and the furthest was the tactile; a high percentage of error in diagnosis (59.9%) was also verified that would consequently engender inadequate therapeutic conduct
Diagnosis, oral; Dental caries; Cuspid
