Discriminatory ability of caries diagnosis from bitewing radiographs in caries prophylactic trials

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Abstract
The discriminatory ability of radiological criteria in common use in clinical trials was tested on 99 female tennagers selected from a larger sample taking part in a 3 yr caries prophylactic clinical trial. Four radiological caries diagnostic criteria were selected as generally representative of those in current use following a comprehensive review of the literature. A significant preventive effect was evident from the radiographic examinations after 3 yr. At this time a significant difference between mean DFS [decayed or filled surface] increments was recorded when enamel lesions were omitted (P < 0.05). Although preventive treatment effects were evident at all diagnostic levels, the discriminatory abilities differed. The criterion involvement of amelodentinal junction but not beyond was most discriminatory.