Iris Rafaela Leão Gomes1, Eduarda Helena Leandro Nascimento2, Hugo Gaêta-Araujo3, Maria Luiza Anjos Pontual1, Flávia Maria Moraes Ramos-Perez1, Andrea Dos Anjos Pontual1. 1. Department of Clinical and Preventive Dentistry, Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), Av. Prof. Artur de Sá, 329-481, Recife, Pernambuco, Zip Code 52171-011, Brazil. 2. Department of Dentistry, Division of Oral Radiology, Campus Prof. João Cardoso Nascimento, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), Rua Cláudio Batista, s/n, Aracaju, Sergipe, Zip Code 49060-108, Brazil. eduarda.hln@gmail.com. 3. Oral Radiology Area, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL-MG), Rua Gabriel Monteiro da Silva, 700, Alfenas, MG, 37130-001, Brazil.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the performance of radiographic systems with automatic exposure compensation (AEC) on the caries diagnosis in images acquired with different exposure parameters and in the presence of high-density material. Also, the image quality was assessed. METHODS: Forty posterior teeth (80 proximal surfaces) were radiographed using a phosphor plate and a CMOS system. Images were acquired with different exposure times (0.06, 0.10 and 0.16 s) and kilovoltages (60 and 70kVp), in the absence and presence of high-density material in the X-rayed region (control and high-density groups). Five radiologists assessed the caries using a 5-point scale. Diagnostic values were compared using two-way ANOVA. RESULTS: For both radiographic systems, there were no significant differences in the area under the ROC curve (0.60-0.73), sensitivity (0.79-0.87) and specificity (0.29-0.48) between the control and high-density groups, exposure times or kilovoltages (p > 0.05). For image quality, scores assigned to the control and high-density groups were similar in each exposure protocol in both systems. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of high-density material, exposure time and kilovoltage did not affect the caries diagnosis in any of the systems tested. It is recommended to use protocols with lower doses to reduce the patient's exposure.
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the performance of radiographic systems with automatic exposure compensation (AEC) on the caries diagnosis in images acquired with different exposure parameters and in the presence of high-density material. Also, the image quality was assessed. METHODS: Forty posterior teeth (80 proximal surfaces) were radiographed using a phosphor plate and a CMOS system. Images were acquired with different exposure times (0.06, 0.10 and 0.16 s) and kilovoltages (60 and 70kVp), in the absence and presence of high-density material in the X-rayed region (control and high-density groups). Five radiologists assessed the caries using a 5-point scale. Diagnostic values were compared using two-way ANOVA. RESULTS: For both radiographic systems, there were no significant differences in the area under the ROC curve (0.60-0.73), sensitivity (0.79-0.87) and specificity (0.29-0.48) between the control and high-density groups, exposure times or kilovoltages (p > 0.05). For image quality, scores assigned to the control and high-density groups were similar in each exposure protocol in both systems. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of high-density material, exposure time and kilovoltage did not affect the caries diagnosis in any of the systems tested. It is recommended to use protocols with lower doses to reduce the patient's exposure.