Evaluation of in vivo denture plaque assessment methods.
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.


METHODS
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.


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.
Coulthwaite
L
L
School of Biology, Chemistry and Health Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Chester Street, Manchester, M1 5GD.
Verran
J
J
D001881:Borates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004396:Coloring Agents; D019551:Dental Disinfectants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000145:classification* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D003819:Denture Bases / Q000382:microbiology; D003820:Denture Cleansers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003824:Denture, Complete / Q000382:microbiology*; D003826:Denture, Complete, Lower / Q000382:microbiology; D003827:Denture, Complete, Upper / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008751:Methylene Blue; D010710:Phosphates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023861:Photography, Dental; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate / Q000737:chemistry; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013499:Surface Properties; D014093:Tooth, Artificial / Q000382:microbiology; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000295:instrumentation
D001881:Borates; D004396:Coloring Agents; D019551:Dental Disinfectants; D003764:Dental Materials; D003820:Denture Cleansers; D010710:Phosphates; C072295:Steradent; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate; D008751:Methylene Blue