September, 2008, Vol. 10, No. 4

CONTENTS

SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES

Detection of proximal caries in conventional and digital radiographs: an in vitro study
Maria Ivete Rockenbach, Elaine Bauer Veeck, Nilza Pereira da Costa
115-120

Influence of ceramic inlays and composite fillings on fracture resistance of premolars in vitro
Antra Ragauska, Peteris Apse, Vladimirs Kasjanovs, Liga Berzina-Cimdina
121-126

A 2-year follow-up study on standard length implants inserted into alveolar bone sites augmented with homografts
Maurizio Franco, Emanuela Tropina, Bruno De Santis, Alessandro Viscioni, Leone Rigo, Riccardo Guidi, Francesco Carinci
127-132

Veneer fracture in implant-supported metal-ceramic restorations. Part I: Overall success rate and impact of occlusal guidance
Tomas Linkevicius, Eugenijus Vladimirovas, Simonas Grybauskas, Algirdas Puisys, Vygandas Rutkunas
133-139

CLINICAL CASE REPORTS

Anterior crossbite correction in primary and mixed dentition with removable inclined plane (Bruckl appliance)
Irena Jirgensone, Andra Liepa, Andris Abeltins
140-144

© 2008 Stomatologija

Stomatologija 2008; 10 (4): 115-120 106 KB

Detection of proximal caries in conventional and digital radiographs: an in vitro study

Maria Ivete Rockenbach, Elaine Bauer Veeck, Nilza Pereira da Costa

Summary

Objectives. To compare digital images to conventional film radiography in the diagnosis of proximal caries.

Methods. Fifty-one molars and 24 premolars were studied and divided in groups of three teeth. They were fixed in silicone and radiographed using InSight film (Kodak) and the digital systems Digora (Soredex), DenOptix (Gendex) and CygnusRay MPS (Progeny). Twenty-five radiographs were obtained in each modality and four proximal surfaces were analyzed in each radiograph. Radiographs were interpreted individually by one observer at three different sessions for each imaging modality. Caries lesions were classified according to their depth: (0) absent; (1) restricted to enamel; (2) reaching the dentino-enamel junction; and (3) reaching the dentin. The teeth were sectioned and ground in order to obtain the gold standard and were examined histologically by stereomicroscopy.

Results. The Kendall test was employed and showed a good intra-observer agreement among the three evaluations implemented. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were all calculated, and there were no significant differences observed among the four imaging modalities studied (ANOVA, p≤0.05). Besides, the ROC curve was determined for each modality and no statistically significant differences were observed when comparing the areas under the ROC curve at the 5% level of significance.

Conclusions. The results demonstrate that the diagnostic accuracy of digital images is similar to that of conventional film radiography in the detection of proximal caries.

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