Abstract
Objective: To compared the accuracy of digital radiography in the diagnosis of interproximal caries in permanent teeth with conventional radiography and visual examination. Material and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 78 human premolars, which seem normal in primary examination, are mounted on the plaster in a pair-wise manner and their caries are visually evaluated. Conventional and digital radiographic images are taken under the same conditions and their caries are graded with Confidence Score. To determine the golden standard, after mesiodistal incision, the teeth are examined using stereomicroscopy. Finally, the results obtained by visual observation and conventional radiography as well as digital images were compared with those obtained from the stereomicroscopy to determine their accuracy in detecting the interproximal caries. Results: The consistencies between the visual, digital, and conventional methods with the standard method (microscopic histology) are 53%, 78%, and 50% respectively - all of them are significant (p<0.05). The highest and the lowest sensitivities are related to the digital (96%) and visual (88%) methods respectively, while the highest and lowest specificities are related to the digital (79%) and conventional (50%) methods respectively. The highest and lowest positive predictive value is related to the digital (79%) and conventional (80%) methods respectively. The highest and lowest negative predictive values are related to the digital (90%) and visual (71%) methods respectively. Compared with the standard methodology, the most accurate diagnostic accuracy can be seen for the digital method (91%). Conclusion: There is no significant difference in the diagnosis of interproximal caries by different methods, and the only advantage of digital radiography, compared with the conventional one, is storing radiographs without losing important information and the lower dose of radiation for the patient.
Highlights
Dental caries is one of the world’s most common chronic diseases [1]
The results obtained by visual observation and conventional radiography as well as digital images were compared with those obtained from the stereomicroscopy to determine their accuracy in detecting the interproximal caries
Considering the need for an auxiliary diagnostic method for the interproximal area and the lack of consensus on whether conventional radiographic images is more preferred or digital radiography, as well as the differences in dental types and ages in previous studies regarding the lack of any previous literature on this issue in the Tabriz Faculty of Dentistry, this paper aims to compare the power and accuracy of digital images taken by the Phosphore Storage Plate (PSP) and Optim
Summary
Dental caries is one of the world’s most common chronic diseases [1]. It is identified by observable changes in surface consistency and tooth color, sensation when applying the catheter, radiography, and passing light through the tissues. Identification of caries is a key to their prevention and treatment [3]. The correct diagnosis of dental structures relates precisely to the quality of oral radiography. Using low-quality radiographs would distort the diagnostic information and affect the treatment plan. If all the information and useful diagnostic details are obscured or eliminated in low-quality radiography, it may lead to repetitive radiography and unnecessary exposure for the patient. Visual examination can detect only 22.9%-32.9% of interproximal caries and more than two- thirds of these lesions remain undetected [4]
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