title: A comparative study of different radiographic methods for detecting occlusal caries lesions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of different radiographic imaging modalities in detecting occlusal caries lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Under standardized conditions, 125 extracted human permanent molar teeth with sound or occlusal caries lesions were radiographed using a conventional film system (F-speed), a direct digital imaging system (complementary metal oxide semiconductor sensor), an indirect digital imaging system (photostimulable phosphor plate) and a cone beam computed tomography system (CBCT). Two observers scored the resultant images for the presence or absence of caries. Then, the teeth were histologically prepared and a definite diagnosis was determined by stereomicroscopic assessment. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (Az), sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of each imaging modality were calculated, as well as the intra- and interexaminer reproducibility.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For both thresholds, interexaminer agreement were higher for CBCT. For intraexaminer agreement, observers had different scores for both thresholds, but the scores were generally higher for CBCT. Similar Az values were achieved with all imaging methods at a diagnostic D1 threshold. The Az values of the CBCT system were found to be statistically higher than those of the other imaging modalities at a diagnostic D3 threshold (p > 0.05); no significant differences were found among the other imaging modalities. All radiographic methods showed similar sensitivities, specificities and accuracy in detecting D1 threshold. The CBCT system showed higher sensitivity and accuracy in detecting dentine lesions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Within the limitations of this study, CBCT exhibited better performance in detecting deep occlusal caries lesions than the other radiographic systems.
authors: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Izmir Katip Çelebi University, Izmir, Turkey.
authors: Elif
authors: E
authors: Tarım Ertas
authors: Ebru
authors: E
authors: Küçükyılmaz
authors: Hüseyin
authors: H
authors: Ertaş
authors: Selçuk
authors: S
authors: Savaş
authors: Meral
authors: M
authors: Yırcalı Atıcı
mesh_terms: D019540:Area Under Curve; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D003804:Dentin / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D015588:Observer Variation; D012372:ROC Curve; D019252:Radiography, Dental, Digital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014962:X-Ray Film / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014963:X-Ray Intensifying Screens / Q000706:statistics & numerical data