Table 1.
Description of International Caries Detection and Assessment System and Criteria Based on Features Used to Assess Caries Lesions Activity
| Clinical Characteristics of Caries Lesion |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Score | Description | Active | Inactive |
| 0 | No or slight change in enamel translucency after prolonged air-drying (5 s) | ||
| 1 | First visual change in enamel (seen only after prolonged air-drying or restricted to within the confines of a pit or fissure) | Surface of enamel is whitish/yellowish opaque with loss of luster; feels rough when the tip of the probe is moved gently across the surface; lesion is in a plaque stagnation area | Surface of enamel is whitish, brownish, or black; enamel may be shiny and feels hard and smooth when the tip of the probe is moved gently across the surface |
| 2 | Distinct visual changes in enamel | ||
| 3 | Localized enamel breakdown in opaque or discolored enamel (without visual signs of dentinal involvement) | ||
| 4 | Underlying dark shadow from dentine | Probably active | |
| 5 | Distinct cavity with visible dentin | Cavity feels soft or leathery on gently probing the dentine | Cavity may be shiny and feels hard on gently probing the dentine |
| 6 | Extensive distinct cavity with visible dentine (involving more than half the surface) | ||