Findings
Diagnostic Methods
The EPC team evaluated the strength of the evidence describing the performance of diagnostic methods separately for cavitated lesions, lesions involving dentin, enamel lesions, and any lesions. They also separated the evaluations by the surface and tooth type involved. The team found 39 studies reporting 126 histologically validated assessments of diagnostic methods.
There are few assessments of the performance of any diagnostic methods for primary or anterior teeth, and no assessments of performance on root surfaces. The strength of the evidence describing the performance of any diagnostic method for these teeth and surfaces is poor.