Performance of film, desktop monitor and laptop displays in caries detection.
OBJECTIVE
To compare film, desktop monitor and laptop displays of digitized film images for accuracy of caries detection.


METHODS
Sixty-four extracted teeth were mounted in eight models and radiographed with E-speed bitewing film. Films were digitized and displayed on a desktop monitor and a laptop display. Six observers scored the presence or absence of enamel and dentinal caries for each proximal surface for film, desktop and laptop displays. Results were compared with the histology of ground sections. ROC curve areas for each display mode and observer were assessed for significant differences with ANOVA.


RESULTS
Diagnostic accuracy for proximal surface caries detection was not significantly different for conventional film or desktop monitor and laptop displays for detection of enamel caries (P = 0.9112) or dentin caries (P = 0.2796).


CONCLUSIONS
Current laptop active matrix liquid crystal displays provide diagnostic quality for caries detection comparable with conventional film and desktop monitor displays.
Ludlow
J B
JB
Department of Diagnostic Sciences, University of North Carolina School of Dentistry 27599-7450, USA.
Abreu
M
M
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016288:Computer Terminals; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation; D008838:Microcomputers; D012372:ROC Curve; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016300:Radiography, Bitewing; D019252:Radiography, Dental, Digital; D015203:Reproducibility of Results