Comparison of The Diagnostic Quality Of the Conventional and Digital Radiography in Detection of External Root Resorption Cavities (Invitro)

  Abstract:

  Background and Aim: Radiographic diagnosis of external root resorption is one of the basic problems in endodontics. This lesion results in loss of tooth structure and its diagnosis in early stages will result in tooth preservation. The purpose of this in vitro study was comparison of the diagnostic accuracy of conventional and digital radiography in detection of simulated external root resorption cavities.

  Materials and Methods : In this diagnostic study 40 maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth which had no external root resorption in initial radiographs were put into the human models in order to simulate the condition of oral cavity. Radiographs of each tooth were taken in an orthoradial aspect using conventional film and a digital sensor. Cavities were created by medium round burs (ISO size 009) in 0.9 mm diameter and 0.9 mm depth in the labial wall of the coronal third of the root surface of each tooth. Three periapical radiographs of each tooth were taken in an orthoradial and mesioradial and distoradial aspect using conventional film and a digital sensor. Two endodontists and one radiologist evaluated the radiographs. Diagnostic accuracy of digital and conventional radiographs were evaluated by SPSS and x2 test.

  Results : A large number of cavities were detected by the digital method compared to the conventional method. There was significant difference in diagnostic quality between conventional and digital method for distoradial, orthoradial and mesioradial aspects (P<0.05). Tests revealed that sensitivity,specifity,PPV(Positive Predictive Value), NPV(Negative Predictive Value) and accuracy were significantly different in comparison of digital and conventional radiographs(p<0.05).

  Conclusion : The results of this study suggest that the digital radiographic method is more sensitive than conventional radiography in detection of simulated external root resorption cavities.

  Key words : conventional radiography, digital radiography, external root resorption