Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026
Precision of In Vivo Quantitative Tooth Wear Measurement Using Intra-Oral Scans
Published on: July 12, 2022
Value of bitewing radiographs for detecting approximal caries in 6-year-old children in the Netherlands
Jan H G Poorterman1, Erik H Vermaire, Johan Hoogstraten
1Department of Social Dentistry and Behavioural Sciences, Academic Centre for Dentistry, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. j.poorterman@acta.nl
Background:
When diagnosing caries using clinical judgment only, the prevalence of approximal caries is highly underestimated. Yet, surveys on this topic predominantly included adolescents and young adults.
Aim:
To determine the additional diagnostic value of bitewing radiographs in 6-year-old children and to detect approximal dentin caries in the primary dentition.
Design:
A total of 50 children were assessed both clinically (dmfs, oral hygiene) and radiographically by two experienced dentists. The relation between dmfs-scores and amount of plaque was established using Pearson's correlation coefficients at a significance level of 0.05.
Results:
In nine patients (18%) it was impossible to make radiographs. Bitewing radiography appeared to have an additional effect of 97% when only caries in dentin is considered. The additional value for detecting inadequate restorations was 600%. Furthermore, the dmfs was highly correlated to the amount of plaque found.
Conclusion:
Although not possible to achieve in all 6-year-old children, bitewing radiographs can reveal a considerable amount of carious surfaces and inadequate restorations, which appear clinically sound or adequate.
