Scanning resolution and the detection of approximal caries

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Radiology
• Digital Imaging

Background:

• Bitewing radiographs are essential for detecting approximal caries.
• Digitizing conventional radiographs can improve accessibility and analysis.
• Determining optimal scanning parameters is crucial for diagnostic accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the most effective scanning resolution for digitizing bitewing radiographs for approximal caries detection.
• To evaluate the impact of different scanning resolutions on diagnostic performance.

Main Methods:

• Conventional bitewing radiographs of 100 teeth were digitized at 150, 300, and 600 dots per inch (d.p.i.).
• Ten observers assessed caries presence and depth on digitized images displayed on a monitor.
• Observer scores were compared against histological examination results.

Main Results:

• Scanning resolution significantly affected the detection of caries, particularly for sound surfaces and dentinal lesions.
• Observer confidence increased with higher resolutions, with no significant difference between 300 and 600 d.p.i.
• The highest accuracy for estimating lesion depth was achieved at 300 d.p.i.

Conclusions:

• A scanning resolution of 300 d.p.i. is recommended for digitizing bitewing radiographs using a flatbed scanner.
• This resolution ensures a manageable digital file size while preserving essential diagnostic information for caries detection.