[Oradlist] pre-cementation vs post-cementation radiographs

[Abramovitch, Kenneth]

Colleagues,

A few years ago, our institution made a concerted effort to insist on pre-cementation BW images as there is a de facto lack of confidence in using mirrors, probes and visual examination as a valid examination tool for the fit of cast restorations.  Now the lack of confidence has spread to post-cementation BW images.  It seems that our institution's Quality Assurance process is requiring the following.
 "hard evidence" is needed to accurately answer the items on the 'post treatment review form' concerning:
Margins are clinically acceptable
Interproximal contacts are clinically acceptable
Restorative contours are clinically acceptable

I would appreciate any comments that you are willing to share about your institution and their use of pre and post BW images to validate these restorative procedures.   I am concerned about the lack of confidence in clinical examination techniques with respect to these restorative procedures and the generalized increased x-radiation exposure of our patient population.

Whether you agree or disagree with the policy and my comments, I would appreciate any feedback on this from ORADLIST readers.  I intend to use these comments both pro and con to address this issue with the administration.

So as not to clog up the subscribers mail list, please forward your comments to my e-mail address (Kenneth.Abramovitch at uth.tmc.edu).  If any responder wishes, I will send them a copy of my reply to the administration.      Thank you in advance.

Kenneth Abramovitch
Houston, TX

Associate Professor, Head - Section of Radiology
Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Dental Branch
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
6516 M. D. Anderson Blvd.,  Suite 1.072 C
Houston, TX  77030    Tel: 713-500-4109;  Fax: 713-500-0412

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