This in vitro study aimed to investigate the diagnostic potential of short-wave infrared transillumination (SWIRT) at 1050, 1200 and 1300 nm for the detection of proximal caries in molars and premolars. It was compared to the diagnostic performance of bitewing radiography (BWR) and micro-computed tomography (µCT) as the reference standard. 250 sound or decayed proximal surfaces of permanent posterior extracted teeth were examined using (1) SWIRT at 1050, 1200 and 1300 nm with two camera systems of different resolutions, (2) BWR and (3) µCT. Thresholds were defined for both test methods and the reference standard for caries in general, enamel caries and dentin caries. All images were assessed by two examiners twice, at an interval of two weeks. SWIRT at wavelengths of 1050, 1200 and 1300 nm achieved sensitivity values more than 2.5 times higher than BWR (enamel caries 3.2-4.4 times; dentin caries 3.25-4.25 times) for the detection of proximal caries. Sensitivity values of SWIRT improved with the higher wavelength. No significant difference was found in diagnostic quality between the two camera systems. SWIRT at 1300 nm imaged proximal enamel caries with the highest accuracy, while the physical optimum for transillumination in dentin was located at a lower wavelength (<1000 nm).
Keywords: X-ray microtomography; dental caries; diagnostic imaging; reproducibility of results; sensitivity and specificity; short-wave infrared transillumination.