Table 1 The Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment (CAST) instrument codes and descriptions [20]
Characteristic | Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
Sound | 0 | No visible evidence of a distinct carious lesion |
Sealed | 1 | Pits and/or fissures are at least partially covered with a sealant material |
Restored | 2 | A cavity has been restored with (in) direct restorative material and currently without a carious lesion |
Enamel | 3 | Distinct visual change in enamel only. A clear caries-related discoloration is visible, with or without localized enamel breakdown |
Dentine | 4 | Internal caries-related discoloration in dentine. The lesion is visible through enamel, which may or may not exhibit a visible localized breakdown of enamel |
5 | Distinct cavitation into dentine without pulpal involvement | |
Pulp | 6 | Involvement of pulp chamber. Distinct cavitation reaching the pulp chamber or only root fragments is present |
7 | A pus containing swelling or a pus releasing sinus tract related to the tooth with pulpal involvement due to dental caries is present | |
Lost | 8 | The tooth has been removed due to dental caries |
Others | 9 | Does not match with any of the other descriptions |