Comparing the accuracy of panoramic and intraoral radiography in the diagnosis of proximal caries

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of panoramic and intraoral radiographic surveys in the diagnosis of proximal caries according to the different dental regions (maxillary and mandibular incisor, canine, premolar and molar). METHODS: In this study, full mouth series and panoramic radiographs of 79 patients were used. The radiographs were evaluated for proximal caries by three observers. The diagnostic accuracy of radiographic surveys for each dental region was assessed by means of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS: Full mouth series was the most efficient method in the diagnosis of caries for incisor and canine teeth. However, full mouth series and combination of panoramic plus bitewings had similar diagnostic accuracy for premolar and molar teeth. CONCLUSIONS: Panoramic survey alone was not sufficient for the diagnosis of proximal caries for the entire dentition. The combination of panoramic plus bitewing plus anterior periapical survey exhibited a diagnostic accuracy for proximal caries that was comparable with full mouth series.