Journal of Dental Research, Vol 55, 805-811, Copyright © 1976 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Radiographic spatial frequencies essential to the diagnosis of incipient interproximal lesions
R. L. Webber and P. H. Koziol
The effects of fixed pattern noise on the interpretation of dental
radiographs containing known lesions suggest that reliable detection of
incipient interproximal caries is influenced by the spatial frequency of
information visibly displayed. Frequencies less than the limiting
resolution of existinta also permit demonstration that significantly less
resolution is required horizontally than vertically to achieve a criterion
level of diagnostic accuracy. These findings are consistent with the notion
that accurate diagnosis may be possible with less resolution than is
currently produced by conventional bitewing radiographic techniques. If
this is trut means for radiographically detecting caries can be developed
that require less exposure of the patient to ionizing radiation.
