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Tarim Ertas E, Küçükyılmaz E et al. Caries Res 2014; 48: 566–574

As background, when it is elected to use the D3 threshold for caries detection, then a lesion is scored only when it has involved dentine (and a lesion confined to enamel will not be included), whereas at the D1 threshold, both an enamel lesion, and a dentine lesion is scored. Using the time-honoured methods of calculating receiver operating characteristic (ROC), sensitivity, and specificity, there were no differences in detecting occlusal caries at the D1 threshold when comparing 1) conventional planar radiography (F-speed) with, 2) direct digital imaging system, 3) indirect digital imaging system, and 4) CBCT. At the D3 threshold, however, CBCT was shown to be superior to the other diagnostic methods. This in vitro study used 125 extracted molar teeth, none of which were cavitated. The gold standard was that obtained from histological examination. Others are cited that state 'CBCT is not considered suitable for routine caries diagnosis' because metallic restorations can cause artefacts that simulate recurrent caries, and any patient movement will compromise the quality of the image.