Insufficient evidence on diagnostic accuracy of radiographic methods in periapical tissues

Abstract

Data sources: The Cochrane Central register of controlled trials, Medline and Embase databases were searched.

Study selection: Clinical studies that compared methods against a reference standard were included. Studies also needed to have sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratio, odds ratio or receiver operator curve (ROC) data or data reported so this could be calculated.

Data extraction and synthesis: Two reviewers independently assessed abstracts and full text articles. Study quality was assessed using the GRADE criteria (www.gradeworkinggroup.org/). A qualitative summary was conducted.

Results: Twenty-six studies were included, none was considered to be of high quality, 11 were of moderate quality. There was insufficient evidence that the digital intraoral radiographic technique is diagnostically as accurate as the conventional film technique. The same applies to Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Conclusions: No conclusions can be drawn regarding the accuracy of radiological examination in identifying various forms of periapical bone tissue changes or about the pulpal condition.