Abstract
Objectives/Aims:Apart from the visual detection of caries, X-rays can be taken for detection of approximal lesions. The Proxi head of VistaCam iX intraoral camera system uses near-infrared light (NIR) to enable caries detection in approximal surfaces. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the NIR for the detection of approximal enamel lesions by comparison with radiographic findings.Materials and methods:One hundred ninety-three approximal surfaces from 18 patients were examined visually and using digital radiographs for presence or absence of enamel lesions. Then digital images of each surface were produced using the near-infrared light. Correlation between methods was assessed using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (rs). Agreement between radiographic and NIR findings was calculated using the kappa coefficient. McNemar’s test was used to analyse differences between the radiographic and NIR findings (α=0.05).Results:Moderate correlation was found between all detection methods (rs=0.33–0.50, P<0.0001). Agreement between the radiographic and NIR findings was moderate (κ=0.50, 95% CI=0.37–0.62) for the distinction between sound surfaces and enamel caries. No significant differences were found between the findings (P=0.07).Conclusion:Radiographs and NIR were found to be comparable for the detection of enamel lesions in permanent teeth.
Highlights
The possibilities for accurate caries detection have considerably improved in recent years
The agreement between the radiographic and near-infrared light (NIR) findings was moderate (κ = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.37–0.62) for the distinction between sound surfaces and enamel caries
This study investigates for the first time the suitability of the Proxi head on the VistaCam iX intraoral camera system for detecting approximal lesions, comparing the results with the findings of radiographic images
Summary
The possibilities for accurate caries detection have considerably improved in recent years. The early detection of initial, non-cavitated carious changes is given a high priority, since preventive and remineralising procedures are well established in modern dentistry and help minimise the need for invasive, often costly restorative treatments when caries is detected early on. Teeth are first examined by means of a visual inspection in which the clinical assessment of the approximal surfaces is often more difficult because these spaces are harder to access. Bitewing radiographs make it possible to detect approximal lesions that are clinically either undetectable or only partially visible, and provide information on their extension to the pulp. In the case of initial lesions, these images are not sufficiently conclusive for detection. The extension of initial caries is often underestimated in bitewing radiographs.[1,2]
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