In vitro comparison of conventional film and direct digital imaging in the detection of approximal caries.

Objectives: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of conventional film, unenhanced direct digital and inversion grayscale direct digital imaging in the detection of approximal caries.

Methods: 150 approximal surfaces of extracted permanent molars and premolars were selected for the study on the basis of varying lesion depth. The teeth were radiographed using Ektaspeed Plus film; digital images were made with a Schick CMOS-APS sensor. 7 examiners evaluated 58 randomized images of each modality. Histological sectioning of the teeth was used to verify the presence and extent of decay.

Results: No significant difference was found between the diagnostic accuracies of the three imaging modalities (P=0.226). Analysis of the diagnostic accuracy of the three modalities on lesion depth showed no statistically significant interaction; however, the main effect of the lesion depth was significant (P<0.001, eta(2)=0.936).

Conclusions: The overall diagnostic accuracy of the three modalities in the detection of approximal carious lesions was comparable. All three modalities performed poorly in the detection of enamel lesions.