title: Radiographic detection of occlusal caries: effect of X-ray beam factors on diagnosis.
abstract: The aim of this laboratory study was to determine whether the diagnostic potential of bite-wing radiographs in the diagnosis of occlusal caries could be improved by alteration of X-ray beam properties. Bite-wing radiographs of molar teeth with 16 sound and 32 carious occlusal surfaces were taken at conventional settings of 65 kVp, 15 mA and 0.3 s (4.5 mAs) and at 70 kVp, 10 mA and 1.0 s (10 mAs), to produce a darker overexposed film. Results showed that, although the overexposed radiograph resulted in more correct diagnosis of dentine caries, its use increased the number of false-positive diagnoses. More importantly, the experimental exposure factors would have led to an unacceptably high radiation dose to the patient with arguable diagnostic benefit. As such it cannot be recommended in any way for patient examination.
authors.affiliation: UMDS of Guy's Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ricketts
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kidd
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D001641:Bicuspid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003804:Dentin / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006801:Humans; D008963:Molar / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015588:Observer Variation; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D016300:Radiography, Bitewing / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors; D014962:X-Ray Film