Intraoral versus Extraoral Bitewing in the Detection of Incipient Proximal Caries - an in Vitro Study

Abstract

his study aimed to compare between the diagnostic accuracy of intraoral bitewing using PSP and CMOS detectors and extraoral bitewing using Sirona panoramic machine in detection of incipient proximal caries. Eighty human sound premolar and molar teeth and five dry human skulls and mandibles were used in this study. The teeth were divided into four groups (one control and three experimental) of 40 surfaces each. Artificial caries was induced in the experimental group surfaces by exposing them to 5% formic acid for different durations to induce different lesion depths. Each sixteen teeth were adapted to one skull and mandible to form five skull and mandible assemblies. Each skull and mandible assembly was imaged by three radiographic techniques (IO BW with PSP plate, IO BW with CMOS sensor and EO BW). All digital images were evaluated by two calibrated oral radiologists using a four-graded scale. Histological validation served as the gold standard. Each tooth was sectioned mesiodistally and examined under stereo-microscope by two T