Conventional and digital radiographic methods in the detection of simulated external root resorptions: a comparative study.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate and to compare the efficacy of a conventional and a digital radiographic method in diagnosing simulated external root resorption cavities.


METHODS
Human dry mandibles containing teeth were covered with bovine muscle slices in order to simulate the soft tissues. Nine teeth from each dental group were investigated. Three periapical radiographs of each tooth were taken in an orthoradial, mesioradial and distoradial aspect using conventional film (Insight Kodak F-speed; Eastman Kodak, Rochester, NY) and a digital sensor (DRS Gnatus System; Gnatus, Ribeirao Preto, Brasil). The teeth were extracted using a forceps and had 0.7 mm and 1.0 mm deep cavities prepared on their vestibular, mesial and distal surfaces at the cervical, middle and apical thirds. Following preparation, each tooth was replaced in its alveolus and new radiographs were taken. Three dental professionals, an endodontist, a radiologist and a general practioner, evaluated the images.


RESULTS
A larger number of cavities (P<0.05) were detected by the digital method when compared with the conventional method, for all depths of lesions.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest that the digital radiographic method is more sensitive than conventional radiography to detect simulated external root resorption cavities.
Westphalen
V P D
VP
Coourse of Dentistry, PUC-PR, Av. República do Líbano, 462 CEP 82520-500 Jardim Social, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
Gomes de Moraes
I
I
Westphalen
F H
FH
Martins
W D
WD
Souza
P H Couto
PH
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D004708:Endodontics; D005792:General Practice, Dental; D006801:Humans; D015588:Observer Variation; D010486:Periapical Tissue / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D019252:Radiography, Dental, Digital; D011871:Radiology; D012391:Root Resorption / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D019237:Tooth Cervix / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014962:X-Ray Film