Comparison of Various Digital Imaging Software in the Determination of Artificial Proximal Caries-An In Vitro Study

Several new digital systems has been introduced in the world of dentistry for diagnosis of caries. Instantaneous generation of high-resolution digital images and manipulation or processing of the captured image for enhanced diagnostic performance is one among the various advantages. This study was aimed to compare the efficiency of digital imaging softwares in contrast brightness enhancement for caries detection.

To evaluate the efficiency of digital Imaging software in detecting caries

12 extracted teeth were collected. Artificial caries defects were created. They were arranged 3 in blocks made of plaster, bitewing radiographs were taken in contrast brightness mode in various digital radiographic software like Lynx Vision, Vatech, Dentsply Sirona, Carestream Kodak, Vixwin and Dr. Suni and the results were analysed.

The mean value of efficiency for contrast brightness enhancement for each digital radiographic software system was Carestream Kodak (88.1%), Dr. Suni (80.45%), Vatech (72.12%), Vixwin (66.67%), Dentsply Sirona (27.24%), Lynxvision (4.49%). There was a statistically significant difference observed between the weighted mean of contrast brightness enhancement among various digital radiographic software. (one-way ANOVA p<0.01).

Efficiency of Kodak Carestream was higher than the other digital radiographic software in contrast brightness enhancement (p<0.05) for caries detection under the experimental conditions.

The use of radiographs for the diagnosis of carious lesions has become an inevitable process. Thus the softwares should be developed in such a way that it gives a superior quality facilities and modes for the assessment of initial proximal caries which is not visible to the human eye on clinical examination.