3. Proximal caries susceptible zone
caries
Approximately 50 % demineralization is required for
radiographic detection of a lesion.
The thickness of the tooth buccolingually masks the
carious lesion when it is small.
The actual depth of penetration of a carious lesion is
deeper clinically than radiographically.
4. Factors affecting caries diagnosis:
Buccolingual thickness of tooth
Two-dimensional film
X-ray beam angle
Exposure factors
24. Occlusal Caries
Must have penetrated into dentin
Diagnosed from clinical exam
Radiographs are not a reliable
diagnostic aid for the detection of
occlusal caries.
25. Occlusal Caries
The apex of the triangle is toward the
outer surface of the tooth and the
base is at the dentino-enamel
juncition.
33. Root caries may be confused with
cervical burnout
Cervical burnout appears as a collar or wedge-shaped radiolucency on the
mesial and distal root surfaces near the CEJ of a tooth.
The tissue density at the cervical region of the tooth is less than the regions
above and below it. (variable penetration of X-ray)
Burn-Out:
*Mainly located at the neck of the tooth (Demarcated above
by enamel cap or restoration and below by the alveolar
bone)
**Usually all teeth are affected esp. smaller premolars.
***it is more obvious when the exposure factors are
increased!