Korean J Oral Maxillofac Radiol.  2009 Dec;39(4):185-189.

Detection method of proximal caries using line profile in digital intra-oral radiography

• Park JH
• Choi YS
• Kim GT
• Hwang EH
• Lee GJ
• Choi S
• Park HK

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate how to detect proximal caries using line profile and validate linear measurements of proximal caries lesions by basic digital manipulation of radiographic images.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The X-ray images of control group (15) and caries teeth (15) from patients were used. For each image, the line profile at the proximal caries-susceptible zone was calculated. To evaluate the contrast as a function of line profile to detect proximal caries, a difference coefficient (D) that indicates the relative difference between caries and sound dentin or intact enamel was measured.
RESULTS
Mean values of D were 0.0354+/-0.0155 in non-caries and 0.2632+/-0.0982 in caries (p<0.001).
CONCLUSION
The mean values of caries group were higher than non-caries group and there was correlation between proximal dental caries and D. It is demonstrated that the mean value of D from caries group was higher than that of control group. From the result, values of D possess great potentiality as a new detection parameter for proximal dental caries.

Keyword

Proximal caries; Line profile; Difference coefficient (D)

MeSH Terms

Dental Caries
Dental Enamel
Dentin
Humans
Tooth