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Caries

How decay reads at each depth, and the forms that are easiest to walk past.

Bitewing with a small radiolucent spot beneath the occlusal enamel of an unrestored maxillary molar, ringed.

Occlusal caries

Occlusal caries is a carious lesion on the pit-and-fissure surface of a posterior tooth. On a bitewing radiograph it stays largely invisible until it…

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Bitewing radiograph with a proximal radiolucency ringed at the mesial contact of a lower posterior molar, tooth 38, the site where depth is judged against the enamel-dentine junction.

Radiographic caries depth classification

Radiographic caries depth classification grades how far a proximal radiolucency has penetrated the tooth on a bitewing radiograph. The common ladder runs…

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Bitewing with a radiolucent zone left beneath a restoration on the maxillary second molar, ringed.

Residual caries

Residual caries is demineralised carious tissue that was left in place when a restoration was placed. Secondary caries is a lesion that developed next to…

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Bitewing radiograph with a ring marking secondary caries at the margin of an existing restoration in the lower right first molar.

Secondary caries

Secondary caries is a carious lesion at the margin of an existing restoration. On a bitewing it shows as a radiolucency at the restoration's edge, most…

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Every entry covers appearance, look-alikes, and how to tell them apart.