Abstract
Objective To compare the diagnostic yield for the diagnosis of approximal and occlusal caries using D- and E-speed films.
Design A laboratory study in a UK dental school 1992–1994.
Materials and methods 96 extracted teeth with occlusal and approximal caries positioned in acrylic arch trays to simulate a normal anatomical relationship. Bitewing radiographs were taken using a standardised method and examined at random by 5 independent examiners for caries. All teeth were subsequently sectioned and examined histologically to validate the diagnosis.
Results E-speed films from both manufacturers required lower exposure times to produce ‘subjective’ gold standard images. Sensitivities and specificities for all diagnostic levels (D1–D4) and both molar and premolar teeth are given in the article. See tables 1 and 2 for examples (likelihood ratios have been calculated from data in the paper). Intra-examiner agreement is given as percentage of exactly reproduced diagnoses. Subjectively the majority of examiners ranked Agfa double packed D-speed film best.
Conclusions There was considerable diagnostic variation between the examiners but no significant differences in the diagnostic yield between the different film types tested.
Ricketts D N J, Whaites E J, Kidd E A M, Brown J E, Wilson R F. An evaluation of the diagnostic yield from bitewing radiographs of small approximal and occlusal carious lesions in a low prevalence sample in vitro using different film types and speeds. Br Dent J 1997; 182: 51–58
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Address: D N J Ricketts, Guy's Hospital Dental School, London SE1 9RT, UK
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Topping, G., Pitts, N. No difference in diagnostic yield between D- and E-speed radiographs. Evid Based Dent 1, 17 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ebd.6490011
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ebd.6490011