Performance of a flat-panel display system for proximal caries detection

Abstract

The validity of a digital display system including CRT, or a liquid crystal display system (LCD) rather than an X-ray film system used in caries detection is evaluated. Ninety-five extracted teeth, including maxillary and mandibular premolars and molars, 45 with incipient proximal caries and 50 without caries, were examined. The radiological images of there teeth were digitized. Seven dentists evaluated the three types of images. The results underwent receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analyses, and differences were evaluated by test of statistical significance. We also studied inter-observer differences in subjective evaluation with regard to the image observation systems. After examination, each observer completed a questionnaire on his or her/ impression of using the modalities, and predicted the order of superiority of the modalities. The differences between these predictions and the observers' actual performances by Az (area under ROC curve) values was evaluated. The differences among the displays was not statistically significant (p>0.05). A discrepancy was found between observers' impressions and analytical results. Film, CRT, and LCD displays were not found statistically different for caries diagnosis in this study. The digital display system therefore considered is useful for caries detection.