The use of dental radiographs to estimate the probability of cavitation of carious interproximal lesions. Part II: Two patient scenarios.
Diagnosis of a cavitated interproximal lesion is often not confirmed until the tooth is treated. Before treatment, clinicaians and patients are dealing with probabilities which can be estimated from clinical evidence, radiographic evidence, and information found in the dental literature. The probability of a diagnostic test result being correct is affected by the threshold of the test and the pretest probability of the disease in question, which varies with the prevalence of the disease. We illustrate how clinicians can inform themselves and their patients of the probability of a radiographic lesion being truly cavitated based on graphs that summarize the currently available evidence. Dentists who use these graphs can more accurately inform their patients who can then choose the course of care that best meets their individual needs.
J L
JL
Leake
G L
GL
Woodward
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011336:Probability; D016300:Radiography, Bitewing / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015203:Reproducibility of Results