Recent Advances in Dental Caries Detection Techniques

One of the most common conditions is dental caries, infect individuals across all age groups and impacting overall health and quality of life. It results from acid production by bacterial fermentation of dietary carbohydrates, leading to demineralization of tooth structure. Early signs include white spot lesions, which indicate initial enamel breakdown. Early and accurate detection is essential for effective prevention, timely intervention, and minimally invasive management. Traditional diagnostic methods,such as visual-tactile examination and radiography, have limitations in detecting early or subsurface lesions. Recent advancements have introduced modern, non-invasive techniques, including fiber-optic trans illumination, laser fluorescence, electrical resistance measurements, optical coherence tomography, and artificial intelligence-based systems. These technologies enhance diagnostic accuracy and enable detection at earlier stages. This review highlights current and emerging caries detection methods and emphasizes the importance of combining multiple diagnostic approaches to improve clinical decision-making and support preventive dental care.