title: Evaluating the use of fluorescent imaging for the quantification of dental fluorosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The quantification of fluorosis using fluorescence imaging (QLF) hardware and stain analysis software has been demonstrated in selected populations with good correlation between fluorescent image metrics and TF Index scores from photographs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of QLF to quantify fluorosis in a population of subjects (aged 11-13) participating in an epidemiological caries and fluorosis survey in fluoridated and non-fluoridated communities in Northern England.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fluorescent images of the maxillary incisors were captured together with standardized photographs were scored blind for fluorosis using the TF Index. Subjects were excluded from the analysis if there were restorations or caries on the maxillary central incisors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data were available for 1774 subjects (n=905 Newcastle, n=869 Manchester). The data from the fluorescence method demonstrated a significant correlation with TF Index scores from photographs (Kendall's tau = 0.332 p<0.0001). However, a number of additional confounding factors such as the presence of extrinsic stain or increased enamel translucency on some subjects without fluorosis or at low levels of fluorosis severity had an adverse impact on tooth fluorescence and hence the outcome variable. This in conjunction with an uneven distribution of subjects across the range of fluorosis presentations may have resulted in the lower than anticipated correlations between the fluorescent imaging metrics and the photographic fluorosis scores. Nevertheless, the fluorescence imaging technique was able to discriminate between a fluoridated and non-fluoridated population (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite confounding factors the fluorescence imaging system may provide a useful objective, blinded system for the assessment of enamel fluorosis when used adjunctively with photographic scoring.
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, University of Manchester, Manchester, England, M13 9PL, UK. Michael.mcgrady@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: McGrady
authors.forename: Roger P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Ellwood
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maguire
authors.forename: Michaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Goodwin
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Boothman
authors.forename: Iain A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Pretty
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005453:Fluorescence; D009050:Fluorosis, Dental / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D061848:Optical Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D023861:Photography, Dental / Q000379:methods*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016037:Single-Blind Method