The detection of cavitation in carious approximal surfaces in vivo by tooth separation, impression and scanning electron microscopy.

Bitewings are the most effective method of detecting approximal lesions but correlation with surface integrity is poor. In this study teeth were separated using orthodontic elastic separators allowing impressions, taken in a vinyl polysiloxane impression material, to be viewed by scanning electron microscopy. Case reports demonstrate the effectiveness of this technique in assessing in vivo, and in detail, the extent of cavitation of lesions usually assessed by their radiographic image alone.