SOPROLIFE
SOPROLIFE easily switches from intraoral camera to caries-detection device.
ACTEON’s SOPROLIFE (light-induced fluorescence evaluator) is an intraoral camera and caries-detection device in one. Using autofluorescence technology, lighting switches from 4 white LEDs to 4 blue LEDs at the touch of a button, enabling the clinician to see variations in the tooth’s state of dentin health.
Image Quality and Caries Detection
SOPROLIFE captures images in 3 modes (portrait, intraoral, and macro), while also enabling detection of the occlusal and interproximal caries frequently missed by traditional x-rays.
Of the 10 dentists—all current SOPROLIFE users—who evaluated the device, 4 rated ease of capturing images and detecting caries as excellent, 4 rated it as very good, 1 rated it as good, and 1 rated it as poor. Three evaluators cited the 2-in-1 caries-detection/intraoral camera design as the feature they liked most; 1 said the “multifunctionality is great. The caries-detection modality is great for diagnosis and case acceptance. ”
Image detail and sharpness was rated as excellent by 3 evaluators, as very good by 4, as good by 2, and as fair by 1. An evaluator who said he would definitely recommend the device suggested a “better camera…more megapixels.”
Shown to effectively aid in caries detection1 and treatment,2 SOPROLIFE’s ability to detect occlusal caries was rated as excellent by 5 evaluators, as very good by 3, and as good by 1 (1 evaluator skipped this question). When asked about the ability to detect interproximal caries, 3 dentists rated it as very good, 4 rated it as good, 1 rated it as fair, and 2 rated it as poor.
One evaluator cited “differentiating between stain and decay” as the feature she liked most, and another evaluator “really liked the fact that the hygienist can easily check the occlusal surfaces before applying sealants.”
Overall Ease of Use
SOPROLIFE can be connected to any color monitor or imaging software, and it is backward compatible with all SOPRO docking stations.
Five evaluators commented on SOPROLIFE’s design, one noting, “the finger swipe is tricky and takes lots of practice.” Another evaluator said, “There’s a bit of a learning curve.”
Two evaluators commented on the software; one called the device “very user-friendly, ” and another called the system “convenient to use…easy to plug in and seamless with practice management software, ” and added, “I would definitely buy another SOPROLIFE.”
Patient Benefits
Patient benefits were rated as excellent by 7 evaluators and as very good by 3. One dentist “appreciated being able to show patients the clarity of the situation with regard to cracks, and tooth and restorative breakdown.” An evaluator who called SOPROLIFE much better than similar devices said, “The visualization of decay to patients is awesome.”
Overall Satisfaction
Overall satisfaction with Acteon’s SOPROLIFE was rated as excellent by 5 evaluators, as very good by 4, and as good by 1. Five dentists said they would definitely purchase it and 6 would definitely recommend it. One evaluator said she has “really enjoyed having it in my practice. I believe it has increased case acceptance.” An Oklahoma evaluator who rated SOPROLIFE as excellent said, “I love this camera and would highly recommend it.”
References
1. Terrer E, Koubi S, Dionne A, et al. A new concept in restorative dentistry: light-induced fluorescence evaluator for diagnosis and treatment. Part 1: Diagnosis and treatment of initial occlusal caries. J Contemp Dent Pract. 2009;10:E086-E094.
2. Terrer E, Raskin A, Koubi S, et al. A new concept in restorative dentistry: LIFEDT-light-induced fluorescence evaluator for diagnosis and treatment: part 2 - treatment of dentinal caries. J Contemp Dent Pract. 2010;11:E095-E102.
