Table 3.

The codes and descriptions of the Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment (CAST) index

Characteristic	Code	Description
	0	Sound. No visible evidence of a distinct carious lesion is present
Sealed	1	Sealed. Pits and fissures have been at least partially sealed with a sealant material
Restored	2	A cavity has been restored with an (in)direct restorative material currently without a dentine carious lesion and no fistula/abscess present
Enamel	3	Distinct visual change in enamel. A clear carious related discolouration (white or brown in colour) is visible, including localized enamel breakdown without clinical visual signs of dentine involvement
Dentine	4	Internal caries-related discolouration in dentine. The lesion appears as shadows of discoloured dentine visible through enamel which may or may not exhibit a visible localized breakdown
	5	Distinct cavitation into dentine. No (expected) pulpal involvement is present
Pulp	6	Involvement of pulp chamber. Distinct cavitation reaching the pulp chamber or only root fragments are present
	7	Abscess/Fistula. A pus containing swelling or a pus releasing sinus tract related to a tooth with pulpal involvement due to dental caries is present
Lost	8	The tooth has been removed because of dental caries
Other	9	Does not match with any of the other categories