A clinical comparison of xeroradiography and conventional film for the interpretation of periapical structures

Xeroradiography and D-speed and E-speed film radiography were evaluated for the radiographic interpretation of periapical disease. Fifty-six consenting dental patients, either with or without periapical disease, were studied. Each patient received two radiographic examinations, one using xeroradiography and the other using either D-speed or E-speed film. Each tooth in the study population was evaluated independently relative to its history, clinical appearance, and clinical test results. Diseased teeth were endodontically treated. Teeth judged to be normal were followed for 1.5 yr to verify a clinically asymptomatic state. In both cases clinical assessments determined the true presence or absence of disease. Ten dentists scored the radiographic images for the presence of periapical disease and changes of various anatomical structures. Receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) analysis of the three imaging techniques demonstrated no statistical difference in the diagnostic utility of xeroradiography (0.842 receiver-operating characteristic value) versus conventional radiography (0.843 receiver-operating characteristic value). In terms of radiation dose, xeroradiographic and E-speed film images required about one half the patient radiation exposure of D-speed film radiography. Therefore, xeroradiography or E-speed film techniques are preferred over conventional D-speed film radiography for the interpretation of periapical structures.