RADIOGRAPHIC VERSUS CLINICAL-DIAGNOSIS OF APPROXIMAL CARIOUS LESIONS

For school-age children, in whom caries activity has declined considerably, the efficiency of bite- wing radiographs in diagnosing approximal lesions requires reevaluation. Therefore parallel clinical and radiographic examination of approximal surfaces were carried out in 317 14-year-old children. To assess the degree of agreement between both methods sensitivity and negative predictive value were determined. At the same time previously published data of children aged 8 through 12 years were reassessed. From the results it is concluded that omission of radiographic examination will not result in a substantial loss of information under the age of 12, but above this age it is advisable to include radiographic diagnosis for approximal surfaces. © 1990 S. Karger AG, Basel.