arash farahnaki

Statement of the Problem: 

Early detection of caries and the extent of carious lesions for appropriate treatment planning are very important and lead to introduction of new diagnostic tools.

This study aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of VistaCam IX Proxi and bitewing radiography for detection of posterior interproximal caries.

This in vitro study was performed on 40 extracted posterior teeth without cavitated carious lesions. Bitewing radiographs were obtained, infrared (IR) examination was performed, and the teeth were sectioned for histopathological analysis under a stereomicroscope as the gold standard for detection of caries and determination of the extent of carious lesions. Data were analyzed with Cohen’s kappa statistic, and Wilcoxon rank sum test.

The specificity of VistaCam IX Proxi and bitewing radiography was 71.4% and 87.7%, respectively. Their sensitivity was 100% and 40% for enamel caries, 72.8% and 54.5% for external half dentin caries, and 82.3% and 58.8% for internal half dentin caries, respectively (p= 0.048).

Bitewing radiography had a higher specificity and lower rate of false positive results. However, VistaCam IX Proxi had higher sensitivity for caries detection with lower rate of false negative results. Considering the higher sensitivity and significantly lower frequency of false negative results by VistaCam IX Proxi, it may be reliably used for caries detection specially enamel caries, and can serve as an adjunct to bitewing radiography.

Considering the significance of early detection of caries and determining the extent of carious lesions for appropriate treatment planning, as well as introduction of new diagnostic tools, this study aimed to compare VistaCam iX (850 nm infrared), and DIAGNOdent (655 nm) for detection of proximal caries in posterior teeth.

This in vitro study was performed on 40 extracted sound posterior teeth. VistaCam and DIAGNOdent examinations were performed. The teeth were sectioned for histopathological examination under a stereomicroscope to determine the presence/absence of caries and extent of carious lesion, if any (to serve as the gold-standard). Data were analyzed with the Cohen’s kappa statistic, and Wilcoxon Rank Sum test.

The specificity of VistaCam iX and DIAGNOdent was 71.4% and 42.8%, respectively. Their sensitivity was 100% and 40% for enamel caries, and 92.8% and 53.5% for dentin caries, respectively (P=0.048). The specificity and sensitivity of DIAGNOdent were higher, and it had lower rate of false positive and false negative results.

Considering the higher sensitivity and significantly lower rate of false negative results of VistaCam iX for detection of proximal caries, it may be recommended as an efficient tool for caries detection

Objectives: To evaluate barriers for production of scientific dental articles by Iranian dental faculty members. Methods: An anonymous self-administered questionnaire distributed among faculty members of all dental schools in Iran during June-December 2010. The respondents rated their level of agreement with eleven sentences regarding what they perceive as barriers on scientific dental article production based on a 5-point Likert scale. The data were analyzed using Chi-square test. Results: Totally, 330 faculty members completed the questionnaires; >50% were men, and >40 year-olds. About three-fourth of the respondents were assistant professor. More than 80% of the respondents reported to have at least one published Persian article and >50% at least one published English article; older faculty members more than younger, and associate professors more than other academic ranks (p<0.01). “No access to an English editing center”, “insufficient skill for scientific writing in English”, “inappropriate condition for writing in dental school”, and “time limit due to high load of clinical work in dental school” were top four rated perceived barriers. Conclusion: The concerns of faculty members for the production of scientific dental documents must be considered. Provision of proper time and condition for writing in the dental school, enhancement of their capacity for scientific writing and establishment of an English editing center in each university may facilitate scientific article production