Table 2.

Clinical indicators of inactive and active caries lesions on occlusal and smooth surfaces.

Occlusal pits and fissures		Smooth surfaces
Inactive	Active	Inactive	Active
Persistence of the lesions over years/decades	Detection within some years after tooth eruption	Persistence of the lesions over years/decades	Detection within some years after tooth eruption
No plaque coverage	Plaque coverage	No plaque coverage	Plaque coverage
Glossy, shiny appearance of the enamel surface after air-drying	Matt/frosty/rough appearance of the enamel surface after air-drying	Glossy, shiny appearance of the enamel surface after air-drying	Matt/frosty/rough appearance of the enamel surface after air-drying
No pathological enlargements	Microcavities	Lesions located in distance to the gingiva	White spots near the gingiva margin
Brown discoloration in enamel	White(-brown) discoloration in enamel	Brown discoloration in enamel	White(-brown) discoloration in enamel
Hard, dry, discolored dentine	Soft, wet, (un)discolored dentine	Hard, dry, discolored dentine	Soft, wet, (un)discolored dentine