INTERPRETATION OF BITEWING RADIOGRAPHS .2. EVALUATION OF THE SIZE OF APPROXIMAL LESIONS AND NEED FOR TREATMENT

Objective: The decision to treat initial approximal carious lesions is based mainly on interpretation of bitewing radiographs. In a previous report, it was shown that artificial approximal lesions of uniform si ze are more readily detected on radiographs in premolars than in molar s. The objective of the present study was to compare the ability to ev aluate the depth of similar size artificial lesions on radiographs and reach decisions concerning treatment, in premolars and molars. Method : Clinicians were asked to evaluate on radiographs, the size of in vit ro prepared artificial lesions, and decide at which point they would p erform a restoration. Results: Significant differences were found in t he evaluation of lesion depth between different tooth surfaces. The in teraction between lesion depth and tooth surface originated from the e xaminers' trend to score same size lesions as penetrating deeper into the tooth in premolars than in molars. The probability of the examiner s to decide on restorative treatment in shallow lesions (0.25 mm, 0.50 mm) was higher in premolars than in molars. Conclusions: The findings suggest that clinicians evaluate initial lesions as being deeper and more prone to treatment in premolars than in molars. Copyright (C) 199 6 Elsevier Science Ltd.