Radiopacity of restorative composites by conventional radiograph and digital images with different resolutions

Abstract

PurposeThis study was performed to evaluate and compare the radiopacity of dentin, enamel, and 8 restorative composites on conventional radiograph and digital images with different resolutions.Materials and MethodsSpecimens were fabricated from 8 materials and human molars were longitudinally sectioned 1.0 mm thick to include both enamel and dentin. The specimens and tooth sections were imaged by conventional radiograph using #4 sized intraoral film and digital images were taken in high speed and high resolution modes using a phosphor storage plate. Densitometric evaluation of the enamel, dentin, restorative materials, a lead sheet, and an aluminum step wedge was performed on the radiographic images. For the evaluation, the Al equivalent (mm) for each material was calculated. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (p<0.05), considering the material factor and then the radiographic method factor, individually.ResultsThe high speed mode allowed the highest radiopacity, while the high resolution mode generated the lowest values. Furthermore, the high resolution mode was the most efficient method for radiographic differentiation between restorative composites and dentin. The conventional radiograph was the most effective in enabling differentiation between enamel and composites. The high speed mode was the least effective in enabling radiographic differentiation between the dental tissues and restorative composites.ConclusionThe high speed mode of digital imaging was not effective for differentiation between enamel and composites. This made it less effective than the high resolution mode and conventional radiographs. All of the composites evaluated showed radiopacity values that fit the ISO 4049 recommendations.

Radiopacity of Esthetic Post Materials: Evaluation with Digital Analysis Technique

“…The radiopacity values of the materials in the present study were lower than those of Rodrigues et al, Medigovic and Antonijevic, and Goracci et al, possibly due to variations in measurement methods (conventional radiographic system or digital system) and image detectors, differences in distance between film and post, and differences in irradiation time . On the other hand, the radiopacity of dentin observed in the present study was 0.968 mmAl, in accordance with results reported in the literature . In all radiographic images, the mean gray value of each dentin specimen was similar to that of the aluminum step with the same thickness.…”

“…In all radiographic images, the mean gray value of each dentin specimen was similar to that of the aluminum step with the same thickness. Since this finding is accepted as a standard in the literature, the dentin discs in our investigation were considered appropriate to be used as control materials.…”

“…To assess the integrity of restorations and the development of secondary caries, posts should be sufficiently radiopaque to be detected against a background of enamel and/or dentin . Thus, as reported for dental restorative materials, the radiopacity of a post affected by chemical composition and radiopaque elements should be different from that of enamel and dentin, so that optimum contrast can be achieved for the accurate diagnosis of secondary caries and voids .…”

“…To assess the integrity of restorations and the development of secondary caries, posts should be sufficiently radiopaque to be detected against a background of enamel and/or dentin . Thus, as reported for dental restorative materials, the radiopacity of a post affected by chemical composition and radiopaque elements should be different from that of enamel and dentin, so that optimum contrast can be achieved for the accurate diagnosis of secondary caries and voids . Conventional and digital radiographs are frequently used for assessing the radiopacity of posts, which is usually determined in comparison with enamel, dentin, or aluminum (Al), as the radiopacity of dentin is close to that of Al of the same thickness, and enamel has approximately twice the radiopacity of Al with the same thickness …”

Radiopacity evaluation of contemporary resin composites by digitization of images

“…[1617] In this study, all the resin composites evaluated provided similar or higher radiopacity than the same thickness of aluminum and the dentin specimen that fulfilled the requirements of ISO 4049 in terms of radiopacity. [7]…”