TUNED APERTURE COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY AND DETECTION OF RECURRENT CARIES

This study compared the diagnostic efficacy of four imaging modalities for the detection of artificially induced recurrent caries: intraoral film, direct digital bitewing images, tuned apertuce computed tomogra phy (TACT(TM)) slices and iteratively restored TACT(TM) images using a n in vitro model. Twenty-four posterior teeth were prepared for MOD in lay restorations. These were then restored with different restorative materials (amalgam, Herculite and Durafill). Lesions were simulated in half the number of surfaces studied. These lesions were created eithe r at the intersection of the facial or lingual walls and the gingival floor or on the gingival floor midway between the facial and lingual w alls in the proximal boxes of the MOD restorations. Analysis of observ ations from 8 observers using ROC curve reveal the superior diagnostic efficacy with TACT(TM) iteratively restored images (A, for TACT(TM) i teratively restored images = 0.9171, TACT(TM) slices = 0.7052, Film = 0.6608, direct digital images = 0.5979). ANOVA revealed significance w ith respect to the imaging modality used (p<0.0001). The results sugge st that TACT(TM) images hold promise as a more effective imaging modal ity than film or direct digital systems for detection of recurrent car ies.