Interproximal initial carious lesion interpreted with AI

Patient Presentation and examination: 

• Personal information: 40-year-old male
• Routine radiographic examination: A small radiolucency noticed on the distal surface of 25. This was confirmed using an artificial intelligence (AI) software (Pearl Second Opinion).(Figure 1)

Diagnosis: 

• 25: Initial carious lesion extending to the inner half of enamel (E2) on the distal surface

Treatment: 

• The lesion was treated with one application of Curodont Repair in the same appointment.
• Oral hygiene instructions were reinforced.

Follow-up: At the 1-year post-treatment follow-up, a bite-wing x-ray revealed complete regression of the lesion to E0, confirmed also with AI. (Figure 2)

Take-away: A majority of initial carious lesions are on interproximal surfaces and are asymptomatic.* These can be diagnosed on bite-wing x-rays, with the use of AI as confirmation. Treating these lesions with Curodont Repair, along with improvement in oral hygiene maintenance and diet, may help with lesion regression.

*Jacobsen ID et al. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent 2019;20:73-78