DENTISTS STATED RESTORATIVE TREATMENT THRESHOLDS AND THEIR RESTORATIVE AND CARIES DEPTH DECISIONS

Objective: This study examines the relationships between stated restor ative treatment thresholds of IS dentists and both their restorative d ecisions and caries depth determinations for approximal tooth surfaces based on bitewing radiographs. Methods: Sixteen dentists independentl y examined 15 pairs of experimental bitewing radiographs. They separat ely recorded restorative and dental caries depth decisions for 4,864 u nrestored approximal tooth surfaces, 304 identical surfaces per dentis t. In addition to caries depth and restorative decision data, these de ntists provided their restorative thresholds using a five-point scale. Results: Three dentists stated it would be appropriate to restore ena mel lesions, nine would wait until caries had reached the dentinoename l junction, and four would wait until caries extended into the dentine . Although dentists stating an enamel restorative threshold intended d efinitely or probably to restore relatively more surfaces and recorded relatively more surfaces with dentinal caries, ANO VA analyses reveal ed that the differences among the restorative and the depth means acco rding to the restorative thresholds were not significant. Considerable variation existed in both the restorative and depth decisions among t he dentists in each threshold group. Conclusion: Although interesting trends occurred in the restorative and depth decisions relative to the stated thresholds, this study suggests, like others. in Europe, that these thresholds cannot be taken at face value to explain restorative decisions.