Impact of the radiographic method on treatment decisions related to dental caries in primary molars: a before-after study

Autor(es)

Pontes, Laura R. A. ^[1] ; Novaes, Tatiane F. ^{[1, 2]} ; Lara, Juan S. ^{[1, 3]} ; Moro, Bruna L. P. ^[1] ; Gimenez, Thais ^{[1, 4]} ; Raggio, Daniela P. ^[1] ; Braga, Mariana M. ^[1] ; Mendes, Fausto M. ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Dent, Dept Pediat Dent, Av Linen Prestes 2227, BR-05508000 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Cruzeiro do Sul Univ, Sch Dent, R Galvao Bueno 868, BR-01506000 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Manchester, Dent Hlth Unit, Higher Cambridge St, Manchester M15 6FH, Lancs - England

^[4] Univ Ibirapuera, Sch Dent, Av Interlagos 1329, BR-04661100 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: CLINICAL ORAL INVESTIGATIONS; v. 23, n. 11, p. 4075-4081, NOV 2019.
• Citações Web of Science: 0

Resumo

Objectives To evaluate the impact of radiographic examination on changes of treatment decision related to dental caries compared to decisions guided by visual inspection alone in primary molars. Materials and methods A total of 126 children aged 3-6 years who had sought dental assistance were randomly selected and examined by two calibrated examiners using visual inspection. A treatment plan regarding dental caries was generated based on this assessment. The same examiners then evaluated two bitewing radiographs, creating an additional treatment plan guided by concurrent assessment of both visual and radiographic methods. Occlusal and proximal surfaces of primary molars received a treatment decision as follows: (i) no treatment, (ii) non-operative treatment, and (iii) operative treatment. The frequency of changes in the treatment decision after radiographic examination was calculated, with subsequent Poisson multilevel regression analysis to evaluate variables influencing such changes. Results Changes from ``no treatment{''} decided with visual inspection to ``non-operative treatment{''} after radiographic evaluation occurred in 52 surfaces (3.2%), and changes to ``operative treatment{''} were observed in 46 dental surfaces (2.8%). Furthermore, 50 surfaces (6.2%) had their treatment decision changed from non-operative to operative treatment after radiographic assessment. In addition, changes were significantly more frequent in children with higher caries experience, on proximal surfaces and in 1st primary molars. Conclusions The impact of radiographic examination on changes in the treatment decision of primary molars made with visual inspection is modest. Changes are more frequent in children with higher caries experience and in proximal surfaces. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 12/24243-7 - Impacto do exame radiográfico no diagnóstico e decisão de tratamento de lesões de cárie em dentes decíduos
• Beneficiário: Fausto Medeiros Mendes
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular