Dentistry

Abstract

Efficacy of Different Image Processing Programs in Detecting Small Artificial Caries Defects on Approximal Surfaces

Weeraya Tantanapornkul, Preeyanit Mongkolrop, Paweena Manoping, Achara Hannanta-anant and Ekkarin Prompruk

Objectives: To compare the efficacy of different image processing algorithms of three digital x-ray software programs in detecting small artificial approximal caries defects.
Methods: 75 extracted human maxillary and mandibular posterior permanent teeth were selected. The 0.5 millimeter diameter high speed diamond bur was used to prepare and simulate small dental caries on proximal surfaces of the teeth. The teeth were mounted in 25 plaster blocks. Each of them contained 2 premolars and 1 molar. A prominent part of proximal surfaces were placed at the same vertical level to simulate normal anatomical contacts. Bitewing radiographs were taken and viewed with Vixwin 200, Dimaxis and Dr. Suni plus. The radiograph was enhanced with emboss, gray-scale reversed and contrast-brightness tools. Three observers assessed the digital radiographs from each modality for a presence or an absence of small proximal carries. The sensitivity and specificity of 3 digital x-ray software programs were compared by McNemar test. The intraobserver and interobserver agreement were analyzed with Kappa statistic analysis.
Results: The sensitivity and specificity of emboss enhancement of Vixwin 2000, Dimaxis and Dr. Suni plus were 50.00%, 68.00%, 42.00% and 92.00%, 86.00%, 96.00% respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of grayscale reverse enhancement from the same company were 89.00%, 89.00%, 89.00% and 92.00%, 92.00% 90.00% respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of contrast-brightness enhancement from the same company were 91.00%, 81.00%, 84.00% and 86.00%, 92.00%, 92.00%, respectively.
Conclusions: The efficiency of Dimaxis’s emboss enhancement digital radiograph was higher than Vixwin 2000 and Dr. Suni plus (P<0.05). No significant difference of gray-scale reverse and contrast-brightness’s enhancement efficiency (P>0.05).