The radiographic Departmenth of approximal root cavities: A comparative study of conventional and digital radiographs

Park, Hyun Jung; Cho, Bong Hae

Abstract

PURPOSE
To investigate the reproducibility of the conventional and digital radiographs to determine the depth of approximal root cavities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 80 artificial root cavities were prepared in the approximal surfaces of premolars, maxillary and mandibular molars. Standardized radiographs were taken at the baseline (0 horizontal and 0 vertical) and at a horizontal angulation of 10 in both mesial and distal directions. Radiographic cavity depths were measured by both conventional and digital radiographs. RESULTS: At 0 horizontal angulation, no statistically significant differences could be determined between the results of conventionally and digitally determined radiographic depths with respect to the actual cavity depths in all premolar, maxillary, and mandibular molar groups. All conventional and digital radiographic depths at both 10 mesial and distal angulations showed statistically significant increases in depth compared to the actual cavity depths (p< 0.05), with the exception of digital radiographic depth at 10 mesial angulation for premolars. There were no statistically significant differences between conventional and digital radiographic depths for all groups. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that both conventional and digital radiographs provide reproducible assessment of the depth of the approximal root cavity. But horizontal X-ray beam movements are likely to result in increase in radiographic cavity depth.