title: [Prevalence of approximal enamel lesions on bitewing radiographs in cohorts, ages 14 to 23 years].
abstract: Bitewing radiographs are mainly used to detect carious lesions in the approximal tooth surfaces, and are an indispensable aid to clinical diagnosis. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of approximal enamel lesions from radiographs in groups of 14-, 17-, 20- and 23-years-old persons, and to determine the relation with dentine lesions and restorations present. Per age group the bitewings of 120 persons were randomly selected and assessed for enamel lesions from the distal surface of the first premolar to the mesial surface of the second molar. A second examiner assessed for enamel lesions 20% of the material to measure the interexaminer agreement (Cohen's kappa = 0.63). An enamel lesion was found in about 12 to 15% of the unfilled surfaces. The mean number of enamel lesions was almost three per person. For all age groups it was found that about 20% of the persons had at least 4 enamel lesions and the number of enamel lesions was significantly correlated with the number of dentine lesions. Of all enamel lesions 20% was found in persons without any dentinal lesions or restorations. The bitewing radiographs showed a considerable amount of enamel lesions for these age groups. This seems to justify its use on a routine base as a diagnostic tool at the age of 14-16 years.
authors.affiliation: Afdeling Sociale Tandheelkunde en Voorlichtingskunde van het Academisch Centrum Tandheelkunde Amsterdam (ACTA).
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Poorterman
authors.forename: I H
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Aartman
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Kieft
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003804:Dentin / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D016300:Radiography, Bitewing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012306:Risk