Detection accuracy of proximal caries by phosphor plate and cone-beam computerized tomography images scanned with different resolutions

Clin Oral Investig. 2012 Aug;16(4):1015-21. doi: 10.1007/s00784-011-0599-7. Epub 2011 Jul 30.

Abstract

This study was carried out to assess whether the spatial resolution has an impact on the detection accuracy of proximal caries in flat panel CBCT (cone beam computerized tomography) images and if the detection accuracy can be improved by flat panel CBCT images scanned with high spatial resolution when compared to digital intraoral images. The CBCT test images of 45 non-restored human permanent teeth were respectively scanned with the ProMax 3D and the DCT Pro scanners at different resolutions. Digital images were obtained with a phosphor plate imaging system Digora Optime. Eight observers evaluated all the test images for carious lesion within the 90 proximal surfaces. With the histological examination serving as the reference standard, observer performances were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The areas under the ROC curves were analyzed with two-way analysis of variance. No significant differences were found among the CBCT images and between CBCT and digital images when only proximal enamel caries was detected (p = 0.989). With respect to the detection of proximal dentinal caries, significant difference was found between CBCT and digital images (p < 0.001) but not among CBCT images. The spatial resolution did not have an impact on the detection accuracy of proximal caries in flat panel CBCT images. The flat panel CBCT images scanned with high spatial resolution did not improve the detection accuracy of proximal enamel caries compared to digital intraoral images. CBCT images scanned with high spatial resolutions could not be used for proximal caries detection.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Area Under Curve
  • Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / instrumentation
  • Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / standards*
  • Dental Caries / diagnostic imaging*
  • Dental Caries / pathology
  • Dental Enamel / diagnostic imaging
  • Dental Enamel / pathology
  • Dental Pulp / diagnostic imaging
  • Dental Pulp / pathology
  • Dentin / diagnostic imaging
  • Dentin / pathology
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / standards*
  • Observer Variation
  • ROC Curve
  • Radiographic Image Enhancement / standards
  • Radiography, Dental, Digital / instrumentation
  • Radiography, Dental, Digital / standards*
  • Reference Standards
  • Software
  • Tooth Cervix / diagnostic imaging
  • Tooth Cervix / pathology
  • Tooth Crown / diagnostic imaging
  • Tooth Crown / pathology
  • Tooth Demineralization / diagnostic imaging
  • Tooth Demineralization / pathology
  • Tooth Discoloration / diagnostic imaging
  • Tooth Discoloration / pathology
  • X-Ray Intensifying Screens / standards