Picture That Cavity: Comparing Modalities for Cavity Detection
CWSF · 2026 Disease & Illness Silver Medal
Overview
Dental cavities are widely considered the most prevalent chronic disease globally. For over a century, dental x-rays have been the standard for diagnosis. However, new technologies are emerging that are proving to be potentially safer and more effective. One example is near-infrared imaging (NIRI) that uses infrared light to detect demineralization in teeth without radiation. As dental technology evolves, it is important to evaluate whether newer methods can match or exceed the effectiveness of conventional techniques. This experiment compared the accuracy of NIRI to bitewing x-rays to detect cavities. The results concluded that NIRI is more accurate when it comes to identifying cavities, especially smaller/early cavities. However, when cavities were present under existing restorations, only bitewings could detect them. This demonstrates the need for both technologies in a dental setting. The findings of this project may allow dentistry to become more conservative when it comes to diagnosing and restoring decay.
Awards (2)
- Silver Medal
- Selected for CWSF 2026
Competition history
- CWSF 2026
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