DMFT-Related Dental Plaque Scoring by Using Different Imaging Systems.

Objective: This study aimed to compare dental plaque scores measured using clinical examination and different imaging methods.

Materials and methods: Twenty-eight volunteers were included in the study and divided into two groups according to DMFT (D: Decayed, M: Missing, F: Filling, T: Teeth) scores (under 3 and over 10). Dental plaque on anterior labial surfaces' was scored using clinical visual examination with/without staining and different imaging systems (Digital photography, intraoral digital scanning, FluoreCam). Turesky Modified Quigley Hein Plaque Index was used for dental plaque scoring. The comparison between clinical examination and imaging dental plaque scores was analyzed using Linear Models and Bonferroni Correction (p < 0.050).

Results: In low DMFT group, the scores in clinical examination scores with staining were similar to the scores obtained with digital camera (p = 1.000) and intraoral digital scanning plaque scores (p = 0.997). The lowest plaque score was obtained in clinical visual examination without staining (p < 0.05) while the highest score was recorded by FluoreCam in low DMFT group (p < 0.05). In both groups, the FluoreCam scores were quantitatively higher among all imaging methods.

Conclusions: Plaque staining in low DMFT group may increase the efficiency of all imaging methods. Plaque staining-guided digital imaging can be used as an alternative method to visual evaluation methods for monitoring dental plaque clinically.

Clinical significance: Dental plaque diagnosis is important in preventing caries and periodontal diseases. This study investigates the comparison of various imaging systems with clinical visual examination plaque scoring in patients with different oral hygiene status. The use of intraoral scanners might be a new option for the evaluation of oral hygiene levels and used as an alternative technique to clinical visual examinations in dental practice.