Radiographic caries diagnosis and treatment decisions.

Data regarding the radiographical appearances of proximal permanent tooth surfaces with and without clinical cavities were collected from the dental literature. On the basis of these data, calculations were made of the probabilities that decisions to restore proximal surfaces coincided with the presence pf clinical cavities. Such calculations were made with respect to different prevalences of carious cavities as well as the extents of the radiographically registered lesions. In populations with low caries prevalences there is a considerable risk for overtreatment if all surfaces with radiographically registered lesions would be restoratively treated without consideration to the extent of the radiolucent area.