Performance of a new F-speed film for caries detection.
OBJECTIVE
To compare films from three speed groups for the detection of approximal caries.


METHODS
Insight, Ektaspeed Plus and Ultra-speed (Eastman-Kodak, Rochester, NY, USA) radiographs of the proximal surfaces of 40 extracted posterior teeth were evaluated by six observers. The presence or absence of caries was scored using a 5-point confidence scale. The actual status of each surface was determined from histology of ground sections. Observer responses were evaluated using ROC analysis and areas under the ROC curves (A(Z)) assessed using ANOVA.


RESULTS
Ultra-speed film had a mean A(Z) of 0.88, Ektaspeed Plus 0.85, and Insight 0.84. These differences were not statistically significant (P=0.5). Differences between observers were also not statistically significant (P=0.42).


CONCLUSIONS
The performance of the new F-speed film was not statistically different from E or D speed for caries detection. This film shows promise as a means of reducing patient dose while maintaining diagnostic quality.
Ludlow
J B
JB
Diagnostic Sciences and General Dentistry Department, University of North Carolina School of Dentistry, Chapel Hill 27599-7450, USA.
Abreu
M
M
Mol
A
A
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001641:Bicuspid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008963:Molar / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015588:Observer Variation; D012372:ROC Curve; D011859:Radiography; D014962:X-Ray Film