Value of digital radiography in evaluating proximal caries in comparison with conventional radiography : comparative study

Abstract EN

Background: This study is to compare between the diagnostic accuracy of Ekta speed plus film and digital radiography (including computer and print paper images) for proximal caries detection.

Materials and methods: Twenty extracted human posterior teeth were mounted and imaged with conventional bite wing films and with direct digital radiography.

The radiographs were viewed on view box while digital images viewed on a monitor screen and printed on paper.

They were scored as follows (score one for best evaluating images, score two for the less evaluating images and score three for in between degree of evaluation to compare between all images).

Results: Using t-test and F-test for statistical analysis showed high significant differences between diagnostic evaluation of Ekta speed plus films and digital radiography images on computer and printed images for detection of proximal caries in posterior teeth.

Conclusion: Higher mean scores were given to film image than the computer image and lowest mean scores to print image.

Key words: Digital Radiography, computer screen, print image.

(J Bagh Coll Dentistry 2007; 19(1)55-57)