Journal article

Publication year: 2024

Journal: Journal of Dentistry

Volume number: 145

ISSN: 0300-5712

eISSN: 1879-176X

Open access status: Hybrid

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2024.104978

Publisher: Elsevier

Abstract: 
Objectives: Intraoral scanners (IOS) display disclosed plaque, and the scientific literature has reported that plaque levels can be monitored on intraoral scans using one IOS system (Dexis 3800; control IOS). This study aimed to investigate whether this is also possible with other IOS systems (i700, Primescan, Trios 5; test IOS). Materials and methods: Ten participants (29.6 +/- 5.5 years) were enrolled. After plaque accumulation and subsequent toothbrushing, intraoral scans were performed with the control IOS and the three test IOS. All scans were aligned and the vestibular/oral surfaces of the Ramfjord teeth (16, 21, 24, 36, 41, 44) were analysed with automated planimetry using a predefined threshold value. The proportion of pixels assigned to plaque-covered areas was expressed as a percentage of the total number of pixels (P%). We then assessed whether the planimetrically determined plaque-covered areas corresponded to those identified visually. This revealed that a threshold correction (P%corr) was required for approximately 20 % (i700 and Trios 5) to over 65 % (Primescan) of the images. Results: Bland-Altman analysis showed no significant systematic bias and limits of agreement ranging from approximately -20 to +20 P% units, with a tendency towards lower values at higher plaque coverage. Manual correction improved the agreement and halved the limits of agreement. All test IOS could detect a reduction in plaque after brushing, as well as the typical site-dependant plaque distribution patterns. Conclusions: All test IOS appeared to be suitable for plaque monitoring. Planimetric methods must be adapted to the colour representation of the IOS. Clinical significance: Plaque monitoring using IOS opens a new field of application in preventive dentistry.

Harvard Citation style: Jung, K., Giese-Kraft, K., Schlenz, M., Woestmann, B. and Ganss, C. (2024) Digital plaque monitoring: An evaluation of different intraoral scanners, Journal of Dentistry, 145, Article 104978. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2024.104978

APA Citation style: Jung, K., Giese-Kraft, K., Schlenz, M., Woestmann, B., & Ganss, C. (2024). Digital plaque monitoring: An evaluation of different intraoral scanners. Journal of Dentistry. 145, Article 104978. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2024.104978