Digital and Conventional Radiography's Diagnostic Value in Recurrent Caries Detection

Objectives: to compare the sensitivity and specificity of conventional radiography with those of digital radiography, in detection of recurrent caries under amalgam restorations.

 Methods: 82 extracted posterior teeth were collected. Standard class II amalgam boxes were made and artificial caries were induced in buccogingival line angle, lingogingival line angle, or in midway of facial and lingual wall. There were also surfaces left intact of induced caries. The boxes were filled with amalgam. Digital and conventional radiography was performed for each tooth. The existence of recurrent caries was diagnosed by three observers separately.

 Results:  Sensitivity and specificity values for conventional radiography were  :  66.3, 89.5 in lingual line angle; 74.5, 86 in buccal line angle; 71.5, 87 in the midway of facial and lingual surfaces. The values for digital radiography consisted of : 66.3, 76.5 in lingual line angle; 76, 81 in buccal line angle; 70.5, 80.25 in the midway of facial and lingual surfaces.

 Conclusion:  The total sensitivity and specificity values were 70.7 and 87.5 for conventional radiography and 71 and 79.25 for digital radiography which claims that conventional radiography is a more accurate method. It also shows that the specificity of diagnosing recurrent caries under amalgam restorations is higher than sensitivity in both methods.