ABSTRACT
Objective:
The objective of study was to evaluate the diagnostic quality of CBCT images for caries lesions detection using different exposure parameters.
Methods:
Sixty extracted human teeth were selected and scanned using Kodak 9000 3D CBCT system, with the following exposure parameters combinations: 74 kV, 10mA; 74 kV, 12mA; 74 kV, 8 mA; 70 kV, 10 mA; 70kV, 12 mA; 70 kV e 8 mA; 70 kV, 6.3 mA. Two observers evaluated the images for caries presence using CS 3D Imaging Software. Each observer scored the proximal surfaces of each tooth on a 5-point scale. The scores were compared to histological sections used as gold standard. Accuracy for caries lesion detection was assessed for each exposure parameter combination and evaluated by means of ROC curve analysis.
Results:
The mean values for the areas under the ROC curves for each exposure parameter combination varied from 0.35 to 0.60. There was no statistical significant difference among protocols 1, 2, 4, 6 and 7. However, protocols 3 and 5 differed from all protocols.
Conclusion:
Although the highest dose protocol was the most efficient for proximal caries detection, the lowest dose protocol should be chosen based on the ALADA principle.
Indexing terms:
Dental caries; Radiation dosage; Radiography, dental; Tomography, x-ray computed