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Journal of Dentistry Dec 2023To determine the validity and reliability of novel digitalized tools for dental plaque detection and explore the benefits and limitations connected to their use. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
To determine the validity and reliability of novel digitalized tools for dental plaque detection and explore the benefits and limitations connected to their use.
DATA
Reporting followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Extension for Scoping Reviews. All human clinical studies comparing dental plaque detection using digitalized systems against a standard reference were included.
SOURCES
PubMed and Scopus were screened from 01 January 2013 to 28 September 2023. Bibliographies of primary studies and principal peer-reviewed scientific journals were manually searched.
STUDY SELECTION
The initial search identified 576 articles, with a total of 13 included in the review, published between 2015 and 2023. Most of the studies included (77 %) were cross-sectional with three being prospective. Digital devices captured 2D and 3D images via cameras and intra-oral scanners, respectively. The Turesky's modified plaque index was the most frequent clinical index. Correlation with clinical examination was moderate to strong, with good to excellent intra- and inter-system agreement.
CONCLUSIONS
Within the limitations of this scoping review, image analysis-based plaque detection systems demonstrated good correlations with clinical plaque indices, using both 2D and 3D imaging systems. Whilst digital plaque detection devices offer advantages in terms of procedural standardization and reproducibility, they also have limitations, therefore currently, their application should be underpinned by a comprehensive clinical examination.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Digital plaque detection tools, that provide standardized measurements and store acquired images, facilitate more informed feedback to patients. This objective analysis may enhance clinician confidence in their utility for clinical trials and other applications.
Topics: Humans; Reproducibility of Results; Dental Plaque; Prospective Studies; Dental Plaque Index; Imaging, Three-Dimensional
PubMed: 37939996
DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2023.104772 -
BMC Oral Health Aug 2023To analyse the available evidence regarding the incidence and severity of white spot lesions (WSLs), plaque accumulation and salivary caries-associated bacteria(SCB) in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
White spot lesions, plaque accumulation and salivary caries-associated bacteria in clear aligners compared to fixed orthodontic treatment. A systematic review and meta- analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the available evidence regarding the incidence and severity of white spot lesions (WSLs), plaque accumulation and salivary caries-associated bacteria(SCB) in clear aligners (CA) verses conventional fixed (CF) orthodontic appliances.
METHODS
Electronic searches of MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, Google Scholar, Clinical trial registry, OpenGrey and ProQuest were done for all relevant studies. Eligibility criteria were; Randomized Controlled Trials and Non-Randomized Studies that compared the incidence and severity of WSLs, plaque accumulation and SCB between CA and CF appliances in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. The risk of bias(ROB) and certainty of evidence was assessed independently by two reviewers using Cochrane's ROB and GRADEpro, respectively. Standardized mean difference (SMD) was used to estimate the effect size using STATA 17 software.
RESULTS
A total of 14 studies met the eligibility criteria, and eight were suitable for meta-analysis. The qualitative results showed lower incidence and severity of WSLs, plaque accumulation, and SCB in CA group compared to CF appliances. The pooled results showed significantly lower plaque accumulation(SMD - 1.58;95%CI:-2.57,0.58;p = 0.002) in CA compared to CF appliances.
CONCLUSIONS
A moderate-quality evidence reveals less plaque accumulation and less SCB in CA, which might be related to the reduced incidence and severity of WSLs associated with CA when compared with CF appliances. However, the results of the present study should be interpreted with caution given the high ROB among some of the included studies as well as the marked heterogeneity across the studies.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
For patients who can be treated with either CA or CF appliances, CA may be a better choice concerning oral health.
REGISTRATION
Open Science Framework (DOI: https://doi.org/10.17605/osf.io/kcpvb ).
Topics: Humans; Dental Caries Susceptibility; Bacteria; Dental Caries; Dental Plaque; Orthodontic Appliances, Removable
PubMed: 37635207
DOI: 10.1186/s12903-023-03257-8 -
International Dental Journal Feb 2024Denture plaque, a biofilm that develops on denture surfaces, could contribute to many oral and systemic afflictions. Hence, a quantitative assessment of denture plaque... (Review)
Review
Denture plaque, a biofilm that develops on denture surfaces, could contribute to many oral and systemic afflictions. Hence, a quantitative assessment of denture plaque is important to evaluate the denture hygiene of denture wearers, particularly to prevent plaque biofilm-associated diseases. The aim of this systematic review, therefore, was to review and summarize the visual denture hygiene assessment methods using denture plaque indices and with planimetries published in the literature. English language studies published up to March 2022 in four electronic databases, PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library, were searched, followed by a manual search of Google Scholar by two assessors. The review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) whenever possible. Details of the visual assessment methods, including the types of denture assessed, its materials and its surfaces, as well as the use of a disclosing agent, were the main outcomes. Of 492 screened studies, 74 were included per the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of these, 60 studies utilized various denture plaque indices while 18 used planimetries. 43 out of 60 studies with indices and 17 out of 18 studies with planimetries used disclosing agents for visual evaluation of plaque. A total of 21 indices were described in the included studies, of which seven graded a divided denture surface, while the remainder graded entire denture surface. Of the 18 planimetric assessments, one study quantified squares of the disclosed plaques on denture images, 16 studies quantified such pixels with computer programs, and a single study quantified points, pixels, and contour of plaque areas. In summary, denture plaque indices appear to be popular in denture plaque assessment due to their simplicity. Computerized planimetric assessment, though more time-consuming, provides a more accurate assessment of plaque load as it is less prone to subjectivity and assessor errors.
Topics: Humans; Oral Hygiene; Dental Plaque; Biofilms; Dental Plaque Index; Dentures
PubMed: 37479594
DOI: 10.1016/j.identj.2023.06.010