Interpretation of chemically created lesions using direct digital imaging.

This study compared conventional radiography to digital imaging in detecting chemically created lesions. Six human cadaver jaw specimens were used. A 70% perchloric acid solution was used to create lesions on the buccal cortical plate of each specimen. Digital imaging and conventional images were created after progressing time increments; each increment represented a more advanced lesion. The images were randomly evaluated by five evaluators. This study concluded: (i) when no lesion existed, there was no significant difference in digital imaging or conventional radiography in early detection; (ii) at 12 and 24 h, digital imaging demonstrated lesions significantly earlier than conventional radiography (p = 0.0001); (iii) no difference could be found between imaging techniques at 36 h and thereafter; and (iv) there were no significant differences in the various RadioVisioGraphy enhancement settings used at any of the time points examined.