EVALUACIóN DE UNA PRUEBA QUE MIDE LA SUSCEPTIBILIDAD DEL ESMALTE A LA CARIES DENTAL

objective: to correlate the results of the colorimetric test with the cavities history of young adult patients to determine the possibility to use this test as an indicator of susceptibility of the adult enamel compared to acid dissolution from dental plaque or extrinsic erosive factors. method: correlational analytic study with sample size determination and a 95% confidence interval, 80% 1:1 rate , 1:5 risk rate. sample: 87 people with cavities history in the group and 83 people in the healthy group in an at random selection at educational institutions for adults in manizales. inclusion criteria: being 18 -20 years old and having upper anterior teeth. they signed an informed consent. colorimetric technique was applied in both groups. 2.8mm absorbent paper discs impregnated with a violet crystal solution were used as well as an acid etching (chloridric acid, 1.9 ph) and a ph colorimetric scale ., sensitivity and specificity kappa tests were applied. results: resistance according to the test was 55% and non-resistance was 45%. according to kappa's test the concordance between the test and enamel susceptibility is low (ic: 0.59 - 1.47 kappa 0.1). sensitivity (36%) and positive predictive value (40%) were low. specificity (45%) and negative predictive value (40%) were also low. conclusions: no concordance was found between enamel susceptibility to acid dissolution according to the test used in this research project and the past experience of cavities in young adults.