The relationship between enamel and dentin calibrated-radiographic-density measured by cone beam computed tomography and dental caries status in young adults

Abstract Objective To evaluate the relationship between caries experience measured by the decayed missing filled teeth (DMFT) index and the radiographic density of dental hard tissues measured by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) with a novel calibration tool for individuals aged > 20 to 25 ye...

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Main Authors: Imad Barngkgei, Yaser Alhalabi, Sara Roubah
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:BMC Oral Health
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-06146-4
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author Imad Barngkgei
Yaser Alhalabi
Sara Roubah
author_facet Imad Barngkgei
Yaser Alhalabi
Sara Roubah
author_sort Imad Barngkgei
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objective To evaluate the relationship between caries experience measured by the decayed missing filled teeth (DMFT) index and the radiographic density of dental hard tissues measured by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) with a novel calibration tool for individuals aged > 20 to 25 years. Materials and methods The sample consisted of 40 patients. Their DMFT ranged from 1 to 16 (mean = 6.5, standard deviation = 3.4). CBCT was performed for all patients, and an extracted tooth covered with self-cured acrylic resin was used as a radiographic density calibration tool. The gray values of the enamel, coronal and radical dentine regions of all the teeth were measured by two examiners. The average values of enamel and dentine radiographic density of incisors, canines, premolars and molars in each jaw and both jaws were calculated, and correlated with DMFT. Results The radiographic density of mandibular incisors and all incisors of both jaws had the highest Pearson correlation coefficients with DMFT (0.33 < r < 0.42, P-value = 0.016). Neither the coronal nor the radicular dentine radiographic density was correlated with the DMFT according to any examiner. Conclusion Enamel, not dentine, radiographic density calculated from incisors via CBCT scans was correlated with DMFT in individuals aged > 20 to 25 years. The strengths of these correlations were moderate. Clinical relevance The enamel radiographic density of incisors, measured by CBCT using a novel calibration tool, was correlated with dental caries status in young adults aged 20–25 years. Thus, this study provides deeper insight into the radiographic density of dental hard tissues as a determinant of dental caries. This factor is also measurable in a clinical setting.
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spelling doaj-art-88b84c0ce84541ab952131fa61e2a1ba2025-08-20T03:27:18ZengBMCBMC Oral Health1472-68312025-05-0125111810.1186/s12903-025-06146-4The relationship between enamel and dentin calibrated-radiographic-density measured by cone beam computed tomography and dental caries status in young adultsImad Barngkgei0Yaser Alhalabi1Sara Roubah2Department of Oral Medicine, College of Dentistry, National University of Science and TechnologyDepartment of Oral Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, Al-Wataniya Private UniversityDepartment of Oral Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, Al-Wataniya Private UniversityAbstract Objective To evaluate the relationship between caries experience measured by the decayed missing filled teeth (DMFT) index and the radiographic density of dental hard tissues measured by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) with a novel calibration tool for individuals aged > 20 to 25 years. Materials and methods The sample consisted of 40 patients. Their DMFT ranged from 1 to 16 (mean = 6.5, standard deviation = 3.4). CBCT was performed for all patients, and an extracted tooth covered with self-cured acrylic resin was used as a radiographic density calibration tool. The gray values of the enamel, coronal and radical dentine regions of all the teeth were measured by two examiners. The average values of enamel and dentine radiographic density of incisors, canines, premolars and molars in each jaw and both jaws were calculated, and correlated with DMFT. Results The radiographic density of mandibular incisors and all incisors of both jaws had the highest Pearson correlation coefficients with DMFT (0.33 < r < 0.42, P-value = 0.016). Neither the coronal nor the radicular dentine radiographic density was correlated with the DMFT according to any examiner. Conclusion Enamel, not dentine, radiographic density calculated from incisors via CBCT scans was correlated with DMFT in individuals aged > 20 to 25 years. The strengths of these correlations were moderate. Clinical relevance The enamel radiographic density of incisors, measured by CBCT using a novel calibration tool, was correlated with dental caries status in young adults aged 20–25 years. Thus, this study provides deeper insight into the radiographic density of dental hard tissues as a determinant of dental caries. This factor is also measurable in a clinical setting.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-06146-4Cone beam computed tomographyDental cariesDentineDMFTEnamelRadiographic density
spellingShingle Imad Barngkgei
Yaser Alhalabi
Sara Roubah
The relationship between enamel and dentin calibrated-radiographic-density measured by cone beam computed tomography and dental caries status in young adults
BMC Oral Health
Cone beam computed tomography
Dental caries
Dentine
DMFT
Enamel
Radiographic density
title The relationship between enamel and dentin calibrated-radiographic-density measured by cone beam computed tomography and dental caries status in young adults
title_full The relationship between enamel and dentin calibrated-radiographic-density measured by cone beam computed tomography and dental caries status in young adults
title_fullStr The relationship between enamel and dentin calibrated-radiographic-density measured by cone beam computed tomography and dental caries status in young adults
title_full_unstemmed The relationship between enamel and dentin calibrated-radiographic-density measured by cone beam computed tomography and dental caries status in young adults
title_short The relationship between enamel and dentin calibrated-radiographic-density measured by cone beam computed tomography and dental caries status in young adults
title_sort relationship between enamel and dentin calibrated radiographic density measured by cone beam computed tomography and dental caries status in young adults
topic Cone beam computed tomography
Dental caries
Dentine
DMFT
Enamel
Radiographic density
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-06146-4
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