The visibility of secondary caries under bonding agents with two different imaging modalities

This study investigated the visibility of secondary caries lesions associated with two different adhesive systems of composite restorations (Optibond Solo Plus and Clearfil SE Bond) using a conventional dental x-ray film (Kodak D Speed) and a digital system (Digora) based on storage phosphor-plate technology for detection of secondary caries. For imaging techniques and adhesive systems, false positive scores were high. Intraobserver agreements ranged between 0.432 and 0.778, while interobserver agreements for the readings ranged 0.321-0.731 and 0.411-0.701, respectively. No statistical difference was found between the Az (area under curve) values obtained from PSP (photostimulable storage phosphor) and film images with the exception of the second observer's first reading for total etch adhesive system (Optibond Solo Plus) (p=0.0258). Furthermore, no statistical difference was found between both the bonding systems assessed (p>0.05). Adhesive materials should also have enough radiopacity to facilitate diagnosis of secondary caries.