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. 2021 Dec 10:18:104.
eCollection 2021.

Frequency of caries in triangular-shaped radiolucencies on periapical radiographs of maxillary deciduous second molars

Mitra Tabari  1 , Mina Yazdizadeh  1 , Farida Abesi  2 , Soraya Khafri  3 , Javad Vaziri Dozin  4
Affiliations

Frequency of caries in triangular-shaped radiolucencies on periapical radiographs of maxillary deciduous second molars

Mitra Tabari et al. Dent Res J (Isfahan). .

Abstract

Background: Dentists might face various artifacts (such as triangular-shaped radiolucencies [TSRs]) during the assessment of radiographs and should be able to differentiate them from caries to avoid unnecessary treatments.

Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, 109 maxillary second primary molars were evaluated in cooperative children aged 4-9 years, who had distal caries in their maxillary first primary molars. First, TSRs were recorded on periapical radiographs of each maxillary second primary molar's proximal surface. Then, after excavating distal caries in the adjacent teeth "D," a pedodontist examined the mesial surfaces of teeth "E." Chi-square test was used to compare the distribution of caries in different variables, and the kappa coefficient was applied to evaluate clinical and radiographic agreements. A P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Forty-four cases were found to be carious both clinically and radiographically, and 54 cases were noncarious by both methods, while for 11 cases, the diagnosis was controversial. No statistically significant difference was found between radiographic and clinical caries detection methods in children whose periapical radiographs contained TSRs, and most of the subjects had similar diagnoses. Value of caries detection sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value in TSRs was 88%, 92%, 90%, and 90%, respectively.

Conclusion: Considering high radiographic sensitivity for caries detection in TSRs, clinicians should be more cautious about them being carious or not, and both radiographic and clinical examinations are necessary. Further, to avoid misinterpretation in radiographs, additional education is necessary for young dentists.

Keywords: Artifact; deciduous tooth; dental decay; dental radiography.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors of this manuscript declare that they have no conflicts of interest, real or perceived, financial or nonfinancial in this article.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Example of triangular-shaped radiolucency on a maxillary deciduous second molar posteroanterior radiograph.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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