A STUDY ON THE OPTIMAL RADIOPACITY OF POSTERIOR COMPOSITE RESINS

구치부 복합레진의 적정 RADIOPACITY에 관한 연구

The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of radiographic diagnosis of secondary carious lesions adjacent to composite filling materials with different radiopacity. The level of radiopacity that is most compatible with the radiographic diagnosis of secondary caries was studied in a two part experiment. In the first part, the radiopacity of 6 posterior composites CBP, CF, HM, LF, PQ, P50), enamel and dentin were measured by desitometer and 6 posterior composites divided into 3 groups based on their level of radiopacity compared with enamel and dentin. In the seocnd part, class II composite fillings with or without secondary caries were made in extracted premolar and radiographs of the teeth were examined by 10 dentists to diagnose simulated carious lesion. The following results were obtained: 1. The radiopacity of 6 posterior composites varied between 1.76(PQ) and 6.78(P50)mm Al equivalent. 2. For 4 composites the radiopacity exeeded that of an equal thickness of enamel, and for two the radiopacity was lower than that of dentin. 3. The detection of secondary caries was facillitated when the radiopacity of a composite resin was similar to or slightly greater than that of enamel.