Comparison of Diagnostic Accuracy of Two Coloring Solutions, Acid Red and Povidone Iodine, for Differentiation of Sound Dentin from Infectious Dentin

In order to improve caries detection, invasive methods should not be used and caries detector is useful, and antibacterial solutions can be used as well as a biological method for caries detection. Aim of the present study was to differentiate sound dentin from infectious dentin by two coloring solutions: acid red and povidone iodine. In this experimental investigation, 140 carious molar teeth were collected. Teeth were kept in normal saline solution in room temperature and were divided into two groups, A and B (70 samples in each group). Teeth in group A were painted by acid red 1% solution and in group B by povidone iodine 10% and the painted points were recorded. After omission of the painted points, all samples of group A were painted by povidone iodine (group C) and all samples of group B by acid red (group D) and the painted points were recorded again. Data was analyzed using chi-square and Mc-Nemar tests. Diagnostic accuracy of acid red for detection of dental caries was more than povidone iodine and the difference was statistically significant (P< 0.05). It was concluded that the coloring power and accuracy of acid red is more than povidone iodine.