THE DETECTABILITY OF BONE LOSS IN THE BIFURCATION OF MANDIBULAR MOLARS ON PERIAPICAL RADIOGRAPHS AND DIGITAL IMAGES: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

방사선 사진과 디지털 영상에서 실험적 치근 이개부 병소의 감지도에 관한 연구

The aim of this study was to evaluate clinician's detectability in the diagnosis of bone loss in the bifurcation of mandibular molars on periapical radiographs and Digital images. Periapical radiographs were obtained of the first molars in 2 dry mandibles after preparation of bony defects corresponding to degree I, degree II and degree III buccal furcation involvements. The radiographs were randomly presented to 39 clinicians(1 oral radiologist, 4 periodontist, 34 general dentists) who were asked to determine the presence or absence of bone loss. Periapical films were digitized with a TV camera. Digital images were assessed by 15 clinicians(1 oral radiologist, 4 periodontist, 10 general dentists). I. the overall diagnostic accuracy of Digital images for detection of bone loss in the bifurcation of mandibular molars was higher than that of the periapical radiographs. 2. the largest increase in diagnostic accuracy was found between lesion grade II and III on both radiographs and Digital images(P<0.05). 3. there was no significant difference between the standard state and the controlled contrast state on Digital images. 4. the overall diagnostic accuracy of I radiologist and 4 periodontists was better than that of the general dentists for detecting bifurcation involvements.