Caries
Hadia Memon, BDS (she/her/hers)
Pediatric Dental Resident
Tufts University, Medford, MA
Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Aruna Ramesh, BDS, DMD, MS, FACD
Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
Cheen Y. Loo, DMD, PhD
Department Chair
Tufts University
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Sarah Pagni, PhD, MPH
Tufts University
Aishwarya Meher, DDS
Pediatric Dental Resident
Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Cheen Y. Loo, DMD, PhD
Department Chair
Tufts University
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Meletia Laskou, DMD, DDS, FAAPD
Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
Interproximal Caries Detection after Temporary Tooth Separation
Ramesh A, Loo CY, Pagni S, Memon H, Meher A, Sunar M
Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA
Purpose: To compare the diagnostic efficacy of visual examination after temporary tooth separation with bitewing radiography in the detection of interproximal carious lesions.
Methods: In this prospective randomized clinical controlled experiment, patients between the ages of 5 to 9 years old, presenting for an initial or recall examination who require bitewing radiographs as part of standard treatment during their appointment were identified. A standard radiographic examination was performed according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry guidelines. Immediately following radiographs, unrestored proximal surfaces between first and second primary molars were separated using an orthodontic separator ring during visit 1. Visit 2 occurred from 50 minutes up to 5 days post placement of elastomeric separators. The separators were removed with an explorer, and the surfaces cleaned by dental floss and interproximal brush to facilitate examination. Exposed interproximal surfaces were inspected for the presence or absence of cavitation using visual and tactile examination using ICDAS scoring.
Results: The study has enrolled 28 subjects. The total number of surfaces included are 120. Of the surfaces evaluated the clinical readings have matched the radiographic findings 46% of the time.
Conclusion: Evaluating the effectiveness of elastomeric separators in interproximal caries detection requires a larger sample size and confirmation of evaluator reliability is needed to assess its value at confirming the presence of caries.