Diagnosis of approximal caries: radiographic versus clinical examination using tooth separation.

This study compared the accuracy of clinical examination with bitewing radiographs and clinical examination using tooth separation to recognize the carious lesions activity. 336 bitewings were reviewed for approximal caries on the maxillary and mandibular second premolars and first molars of 168 high school students. Three examiners evaluated the radiographs using a megascope, a magnifying glass (x2) and an amplifying image screen. 77 surfaces were identified with approximal radiolucencies. After the radiographic examinations, the three examiners performed a conventional clinical inspection using a No. 4 odontoscope, a No.5 explorer probe and an air-water syringe with artificial light and relative isolation. The variables recorded were: (1) healthy surface; (2) white spot; or (3) carious cavitation. The separation method was performed with elastics. After 24 hours, the elastics were removed and the clinical examination conducted as in the non-separation group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)