IADR Abstract Archives
High Validity of Dental Plaque Indices by Imaging Analysis
Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the validity of several dental plaque indices by imaging analysis in an in situ five-day bacterial plaque growth model, comparing the results with those obtained with a conventional clinical index.
Methods: An observational/longitudinal study of plaque evolution was carried out for five consecutive days in 20 subjects with good periodontal health status who did not practice any oral hygiene measure during this period. Plaque levels were recorded daily using Turesky's Standard Clinical Index, and three intraoral photographs (one front and two sides) were taken under ultraviolet light (after plaque disclosure with sodium fluorescein). The plaque levels of the images were analyzed using the DenTiUS Plaque software, obtaining values of the plaque area, the mean plaque intensity and the API index (plaque index derived from the area per intensity).
Results: Concerning computer indices, the plaque area, the mean plaque intensity and the API index increased significantly over the course of the five days of evolution (Wilcoxon test, Bonferroni adjusted p-value<0.001). In relation to the degree of correlation between the clinical index and the API index, the days 1, 2 and 3 of plaque’s formation showed very high Spearman’s correlations between both parameters (Rho≥0.770). However, in the days of little or excessive accumulation of bacterial plaque (days 0 and 4, respectively), the relationship between both measurement systems was not optimal, evidencing the limitation of the clinical index for these situations.
Conclusions: The analysis of photographic images obtained with ultraviolet light, previous dental staining with sodium fluorescein and automated processing with the DenTiUS Plaque software is a valid protocol for the macroscopic quantification of bacterial plaque levels, showing higher validity than the standard clinical index.
Methods: An observational/longitudinal study of plaque evolution was carried out for five consecutive days in 20 subjects with good periodontal health status who did not practice any oral hygiene measure during this period. Plaque levels were recorded daily using Turesky's Standard Clinical Index, and three intraoral photographs (one front and two sides) were taken under ultraviolet light (after plaque disclosure with sodium fluorescein). The plaque levels of the images were analyzed using the DenTiUS Plaque software, obtaining values of the plaque area, the mean plaque intensity and the API index (plaque index derived from the area per intensity).
Results: Concerning computer indices, the plaque area, the mean plaque intensity and the API index increased significantly over the course of the five days of evolution (Wilcoxon test, Bonferroni adjusted p-value<0.001). In relation to the degree of correlation between the clinical index and the API index, the days 1, 2 and 3 of plaque’s formation showed very high Spearman’s correlations between both parameters (Rho≥0.770). However, in the days of little or excessive accumulation of bacterial plaque (days 0 and 4, respectively), the relationship between both measurement systems was not optimal, evidencing the limitation of the clinical index for these situations.
Conclusions: The analysis of photographic images obtained with ultraviolet light, previous dental staining with sodium fluorescein and automated processing with the DenTiUS Plaque software is a valid protocol for the macroscopic quantification of bacterial plaque levels, showing higher validity than the standard clinical index.