Comparison of two methods for radiometric evaluation of resin-based restorative materials.
OBJECTIVE
To compare radiographic densitometry with indirect digital image analysis for evaluating the radiopacity of nine different resin-based restorative materials.


METHODS
Discs of amalgam and nine different resin-based restorative material, 10 mm in diameter and 2 mm thick, were radiographed together with 2 mm thick discs of intact and carious human teeth and an aluminium stepwedge. Density was evaluated by digital transmission densitometry and with the histogram function of an image analysis programme (Image Tool 1.27, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, Texas, USA) following the digitization of the radiographs with a drum scanner.


RESULTS
The two methods produced essentially similar results. With both methods, Dyract (Dentsply De Trey, Konstanz, Germany) had the highest radiodensity and Estilux Hybrid (Kulzer, Werheim, Germany) the lowest.


CONCLUSIONS
Digital image analysis is a suitable alternative to transmission densitometry for evaluation of the radiopacity of restorative materials.
Gürdal
P
P
Department of Oral Diagnosis and Radiology, Ege University School of Dentistry, Bornova, Turkey.
Akdeniz
B G
BG
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D003188:Composite Resins; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000379:methods*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation; D019252:Radiography, Dental, Digital; D014070:Tooth / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
D003188:Composite Resins