Methods: 100 extracted single-rooted human teeth (50 non-fractured and 50 fractured) were placed singly in a skull socket. The radiographs were taken in 2 methods: Digital radiographs using a Cygnus Ritter CCD sensor and then reverse contrast option was applied to the original radiographs. 2 maxillofacial radiologists and an endodontist observed the original digital radiographs and their reverse contrast option counterparts to detect vertical root fractures and recorded them in a 5-grade scale. The data were analyzed with a proportion test and processed with SPSS 14.
Results: Statistical analysis showed a sensitivity of 84.7% with CI: 95% for the Reverse contrast option to detect vertical root fractures (P>0.05). The specificity was shown as 61.3% (P>0.05). The Positive Predictive Value was calculated as 77.8% (P>0.05) and Negative Predictive Value as 68.6% (P>0.05). The Accuracy was 73% (P>0.05).
Conclusions: The Reverse contrast option of Cygnus Ritter CCD Sensor did not show a significantly higher diagnostic accuracy compared to original digital radiographs made with that sensor.