Comparison of the Estimated Radiographic Remaining Dentine Thickness with the Actual Thickness Below the Deep Carious Lesions on the Posterior Teeth: An in vitro Study

Objective: Maintaining the remaining dentine thickness (RDT) is crucial because it acts as a protection barrier to the vital pulp tissue against injury and inflammatory products. Based on the relationship between the radiographic RDT (RRDT) and actual RDT (ARDT), we aimed to develop a validated method for guiding dentists in estimating the RDT before caries excavation. Methods: 30 extracted human teeth were subject to the two-stage experimentation of exposure to cone beam radiography and measurement of actual remaining dentine after sectioning. RRDT and ARDT were recorded, and the difference was statistically analyzed. Results: A significant difference in the mean values of the estimated difference in dentine thickness was observed (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between molars and premolars as they exhibited a similar range in the difference of the RDT. Conclusion: It is challenging to find a stable relationship between RRDT and ARDT.