IADR Abstract Archives

Depth Assessment of White Spot Lesions: Interobserver and intraobserver variability

Objectives: Assess the interobserver and intraobserver reliability of a suggested topographic classification of enamel white lesions
Methods: Four clinicians examined a set of 60 clinical pictures of a white enamel lesion in a group of 40 patients. Each reviewing examiner was asked to apply the newly suggested topographic definition for each lesion observed clinically and under transillumination, and to categorise each case as either: (i) Superficial lesion, (ii) mixed lesion, or (iii) deep lesion. After 2 months, each of the four reviewing clinicians was given the clinical pictures of 45 randomly retrieved cases from the original 60. Interobserver and intraobserver variability were assessed by calculation of unweighted kappa statistics
Results: Interobserver agreement varied from 0.7 (substantial) to 0.87 (good), while the intraobserver agreement varied from 0.75 (substantial) to 0.92 (good).
With good kappa values varying from 0.7 (substantial) to 0.87 (good), the new suggested classification shows a predictive ability in evaluating the topography of the lesions.
The use of transillumination offers an easy guide to assess the progress of the infiltration approach applied


Conclusions: Visual examination and transillumination are reliable tools to evaluate the thickness and depth of hypominerilized areas within the enamel for a more accurate diagnosis and a more efficient treatment of such lesions. Though the clinician expertise maybe needed to accurately classify mixed lesions, the new topographic classification has shown a clinical validity proving that transilluination can be adopted easily and efficiently to assess the infiltration progress

Tunisian Section Meeting
2017 Tunisian Section Meeting (Monastir, Tunisia)
Monastir, Tunisia
2017

Cariology Research - Demin/Remineralization
  • Chtioui, Fadwa  ( University Hospital of Sahlool , Monastir , Monastir , Tunisia )
  • Marouane, Omar  ( University Hospital of Sahlool , Monastir , Monastir , Tunisia )
  • Douki, Nabiha  ( University Hospital of Sahlool , Monastir , Monastir , Tunisia )
  • Funding Laboratory: Laboratoire de Recherche en Santé Orale et Réhabilitation Bucco-faciale (LR12ES11)
    NONE
    Oral Session
    Oral Communication for Local Hatton Competition