The assessment of an intra-oral video camera as an aid to occlusal caries detection.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the use of intra-oral video cameras (IOVCs) for occlusal caries detection.


METHODS
Eighty premolars and molars set-up to simulate clinical conditions were examined by six examiners using three techniques: visual examination (EX), an IOVC (CAM) and by watching a video that was recorded using an intra-oral video camera (VID). The teeth were then sectioned for histological validation.


RESULTS
30 surfaces had lesions limited to enamel and 39 had lesions extending into dentine. Sensitivity scores at the D1 threshold (enamel and dentine lesions) were 43% (EX), 68% (CAM) and 77% (VID) whilst the specificity scores were 92% (EX), 64% (CAM) and 60% (VID). Corresponding results at the D3 threshold (caries extending into dentine) were 27%, 42%, 60%, 97%, 99% and 77%.


CONCLUSIONS
Compared to unaided vision, the use of an IOVC significantly increases the number of occlusal lesions detected, however, there is a rise in false positive scores at the D1 threshold. The use of the video technique also significantly increases the number of occlusal lesions detected but with a concurrent rise in false positive scores at both thresholds.
Forgie
A H
AH
Dundee Dental Hospital and School, Dundee, Scotland, UK. a.h.forgie@dundee.ac.uk
Pine
C M
CM
Pitts
N B
NB
D001641:Bicuspid / Q000473:pathology; D003481:Cuspid / Q000473:pathology; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000473:pathology; D003804:Dentin / Q000473:pathology; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006801:Humans; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology; D015588:Observer Variation; D023861:Photography, Dental / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014743:Videotape Recording / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014796:Visual Perception