Key Points
-
Provides a critical review of methods used to assess coverage of denture surfaces by plaque.
-
Notes that there is no current standardised method.
-
Considers the relative merits of planimetric and visual indices.
-
Recommends the maintenance of an image library as a record of data, and blinded visual scoring from images as current best practice.
Abstract
Background Measurement and assessment of denture plaque can provide valuable information regarding an individual's oral health status and assessment of new treatments or products. Current methods tend to rely on subjective indices or image analysis derived planimetric (area measurement) assessment of stained plaque on dentures. Plaque indices are most commonly used to assess plaque coverage without image capture. This is not ideal because the methods are subjective, examiner bias may occur, there is no reproducibility between studies, the methods have lower accuracy and sensitivity than image analysis, and there is no record. To the authors' knowledge, no standardised published method of denture plaque assessment is currently employed for product development and testing.
Method In this study visual and planimetric plaque assessment methods were compared using reference dentures. In addition, an in vivo study compared these methods for evaluating denture cleanser efficacy.
Results and conclusions The results show that blinded image scoring is more representative of the true plaque area coverage than 'live' denture scoring, detecting significant decreases in plaque coverage. Planimetric analysis provides a more sensitive and less subjective technique with greater differentiation between treatments. However, analysis is very time consuming. Thus, a number of recommendations are made regarding quantification of denture plaque for the assessment of cleanser products.
Similar content being viewed by others
Log in or create a free account to read this content
Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com
or
References
Coulthwaite L, Verran J . Potential pathogenic aspects of denture plaque. Br J Biomed Sci 2007; 64: 180–189.
Verran J. Rocliffe M D. Feasibility of using automatic image analysis for measuring dental plaque in situ. J Dent 1986; 14: 11–13.
Cardash H, Rosenberg M . An innovative method of monitoring denture hygiene. J Prosthet Dent 1990; 63: 661–664.
Soder P-O, Jin L J, Soder B . Computerized planimetric method for clinical plaque measurement. Scand J Dent Res 1993; 101: 21–25.
McCabe J, Murray D I, Kelly P J . The efficacy of denture cleansers. Eur J Prosthodont Restor Dent 1995; 3: 203–207.
Shaloub A, Addy M . Evaluation of accuracy and variability of scoring-area-based plaque indices. J Clin Periodontol 2000; 27: 16–21.
Sheen S, Harrison A . Assessment of plaque prevention on dentures using an experimental cleanser. J Prosthet Dent 2000; 84: 594–601.
Quigley G A, Hein J W . Comparative cleansing efficiency of manual and power brushing. J Am Dent Assoc 1962; 65: 26–29.
Turesky S, Gilmore N D, Glickman I . Reduced plaque formation by the chloromethyl analogue of victamine C. J Periodontol 1970; 41 : 41–43.
Silness J, Loe H . Periodontal disease in pregnancy. II. Correlation between oral hygiene and periodontal condition. Acta Odontol Scand 1964; 22: 121–135.
Budtz-Jörgensen E, Bertram U . Denture stomatitis. I. The etiology in relation to trauma and infection. Acta Odontol Scand 1970; 28: 71–92.
Augsberger R, Elahi J M . Evaluation of seven proprietary denture cleansers. J Prosthet Dent 1982; 47: 356–359.
Nikawa H, Hamada T, Yamashiro H, Kumagai H . A review of in vitro and in vivo methods to evaluate the efficacy of denture cleansers. Int J Prosthodont 1999; 12: 153–159.
Budtz-Jörgensen E, Knudsen A M . Chlorhexidine gel and Steradent employed in cleaning dentures. Acta Odontol Scand 1978; 3 6: 83–87.
McCabe J F, Murray D I, Laurie J, Kelly P J . A method for scoring denture plaque. Eur J Prosthodont Restor Dent 1996; 4: 59–64.
Paranhos H F O, Silva-Lovato C H, Souza R F, Cruz P C, Freitas K M, Peracini A . Effects of mechanical and chemical methods on denture biofilm accumulation. J Oral Rehabil 2007; 34: 606–612.
Salles A E S, Macedo L D, Fernandes R A G, Silva-Lovato C H, Paranhos H F O . Comparative analysis of biofilm levels in complete upper and lower dentures after brushing associated with specific denture paste and neutral soap. Gerodontol 2007; 24: 217–223.
Sagel P, Lapujade P G, Miller J M, Sunberg R J . Objective quantification of plaque using digital image analysis. Monogr Oral Sci 2000; 17: 130–143.
Rekola M, Scheinin A Quantification of dental plaque through planimetric analysis. Scand J Dent Res 1977; 85: 51–55.
Taaffe A, Riggott J M . A gravimetric technique for measurement of denture hygiene. J Dent 1985; 13: 271–276.
Carter K, Landini G, Walmsley A D . Automated quantification of dental plaque accumulation using digital imaging. J Dent 2004; 32: 623–628.
Smith R N, Brook A H, Elcock C . The quantification of dental plaque using an image analysis system: reliability and validation. J Clin Periodontol 2001; 28: 1158–1162.
Quirynen M, Dekeyser C, Van Steenberghe D . Discriminating power of five plaque indices. J Periodontol 1991; 62: 100–105.
Budtz-Jörgensen E, Theilade E, Theilade J . Quantitative relationship between yeast and bacteria in denture induced stomatitis. Scand J Dent Res 1983; 91: 134–142.
Williams I, Bowring N, Guest E, Twigg P, Fan Y, Gadsby D . A combined statistical/neural network multi-scale edge detector. In Proceedings of the 5th IASTED International Conference on Visualisation, Imaging and Image Processing, September 7-9 2005, Benidorm, Spain. Calgary: Acta Press, 2005.
Coulthwaite L, Bowring N, Williams I, Verran J . Evaluation of novel methods for image analysis of denture plaque. J Dent Res 2008; 87(Spec Iss C): Abstract 0641 (PEF IADR). http://iadr.confex.com/iadr/pef08/techprogram/abstract_111477.htm.
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank Manchester Metropolitan University and Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare UK for jointly sponsoring this work.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Coulthwaite, L., Verran, J. Evaluation of in vivo denture plaque assessment methods. Br Dent J 207, E12 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2009.854
Accepted:
Published:
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2009.854
This article is cited by
-
Preclinical study of a cost-effective photodynamic therapy protocol for treating oral candidoses
Lasers in Medical Science (2017)
-
Summary of: Evaluation of in vivo denture plaque assessment methods
British Dental Journal (2009)
