Bagus Setiawan  

Laboratorium Kedokteran Gigi Dasar, Fakultas Kedokteran Gigi, Universitas Jember, Indonesia  

Sri Wahyuningsih 

Laboratorium Kedokteran Gigi Dasar, Fakultas Kedokteran Gigi, Universitas Jember, Indonesia  

DOI: https://doi.org/10.19184/stoma.v22i1.53705

ABSTRACT 

Dentin caries is a prevalent dental health problem that damages the dentin layer, leading to structural and functional deterioration of teeth. Estimating the volume of dentin caries is essential for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment planning. The aims of this research to evaluate the effectiveness of manual stereology in estimating the volume of carious tissue in dentin. Carious tooth samples were prepared by cutting them into thin sections of uniform thickness. These sections were observed under a microscope to identify areas infected with caries. The volume of caries in dentin was measured using image analysis software or specialized stereology tools, employing a random point-counting method for statistical estimation of carious tissue volume. The results showed that the average volume of caries-induced damage in dentin was 0.45 mm³, with a variation range of approximately 0.12 mm³. This indicates that, although there were differences in the size of damage across samples, caries generally caused significant damage to dentin. These findings help us understand the extent of caries' impact on tooth structure, providing a crucial foundation for further treatment or prevention strategies. This research provides valuable insights into dental research and dental disease, supporting medical practitioners in planning more accurate treatments for patients with dentin caries. The manual stereology method demonstrates high accuracy and reliability in measuring the volume of carious tissue in dentin, offering a cost-effective alternative for dental research.