Interpretation of bitewing radiographs. Part 2 evaluation of the size of approximal lesions and need for treatment

Ervin I. Weiss, Amiram Tzohart, Israel Kaffe, Mark M. Littner, Ilana Gelernter, Ilana Eli*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: The decision to treat initial approximal carious lesions is based mainly on interpretation of bitewing radiographs. In a previous report, it was shown that artificial approximal lesions of uniform size are more readily detected on radiographs in premolars than in molars. The objective of the present study was to compare the ability to evaluate the depth of similar size artificial lesions on radiographs and reach decisions concerning treatment, in premolars and molars. Method: Clinicians were asked to evaluate on radiographs, the size of in vitro prepared artificial lesions, and decide at which point they would perform a restoration. Results: Significant differences were found in the evaluation of lesion depth between different tooth surfaces. The interaction between lesion depth and tooth surface originated from the examiners' trend to score same size lesions as penetrating deeper into the tooth in premolars than in molars. The probability of the examiners to decide on restorative treatment in shallow lesions (0.25 mm, 0.50 mm) was higher in premolars than in molars. Conclusions: The findings suggest that clinicians evaluate initial lesions as being deeper and more prone to treatment in premolars than in molars.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)385-388
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Dentistry
Volume24
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1996

Keywords

  • Bitewing radiograph
  • Caries detecting
  • Initial lesion
  • Radiology
  • Treatment

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Interpretation of bitewing radiographs. Part 2 evaluation of the size of approximal lesions and need for treatment'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this