Radiovisiographic diagnosis of dental caries: initial comparison of basic mode videoprints with bitewing radiography

Radiovisiography (RVG) is a commercially available, dental radiographic digital imaging system which is claimed to rival conventional techniques in terms of decreased radiation dose and the production of instantaneous images. The aim of this study was to compare in vitro the sensitivities and specificities derived from three examiners using conventional bitewing radiographic film (D and E speed) with those achieved by the same examiners using basic mode RVG bitewing videoprints of occlusal and approximal caries. Videoprints were used in this study, as they are the principal method of archiving radiovisiographic images, unless a separate compatible personal computer is used. The histological appearance of the subsequently sectioned teeth was used as the validating criterion. The in vitro results of basic mode RVG suggest that for occlusal caries, overall the sensitivity and specificity of RVG videoprints are similar to those of bitewing radiography. For approximal caries, the specificity of RVG videoprints was similar to that of bitewing radiography, but the sensitivity was slightly lower. Further work using the different modes available and electronically modified images is indicated.