Aims: To investigate the use of intra-oral video cameras (IOVCs) for occlusal caries detection.
Design: Eighty premolars and molars set-up to simulate clinical conditions were examined by six examiners using three techniques: visual examination (EX), an IOVC (CAM) and by watching a video that was recorded using an intra-oral video camera (VID). The teeth were then sectioned for histological validation.
Results: 30 surfaces had lesions limited to enamel and 39 had lesions extending into dentine. Sensitivity scores at the D1 threshold (enamel and dentine lesions) were 43% (EX), 68% (CAM) and 77% (VID) whilst the specificity scores were 92% (EX), 64% (CAM) and 60% (VID). Corresponding results at the D3 threshold (caries extending into dentine) were 27%, 42%, 60%, 97%, 99% and 77%.
Conclusions: Compared to unaided vision, the use of an IOVC significantly increases the number of occlusal lesions detected, however, there is a rise in false positive scores at the D1 threshold. The use of the video technique also significantly increases the number of occlusal lesions detected but with a concurrent rise in false positive scores at both thresholds.