title: A Simplified Technique to Measure Plaque on the Intaglio Surfaces of Complete Dentures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The main aim of this study was to develop a simplified quantitative denture plaque index that could help dentists to motivate denture patients to maintain optimal oral hygiene. The secondary aim was to assess specific areas of dentures more prone to accumulate plaque and subjects' oral hygiene habits related to their dentures.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred subjects who wore maxillary and/or mandibular complete dentures for at least one year were included in the study as a powered sample. Fifteen females and 85 males, age range 45-75 years, were recruited. The study was carried out at King Saud University (KSU), College of Dentistry. A plaque disclosing solution was used to assess the plaque covered areas of denture. A quantitative percentage (10 x 10%) score index was developed by assessing plaque scores from digital images of intaglio surfaces of the dentures. The weighted kappa method was used to assess inter-examiner agreement in the main study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The new denture plaque index was identified as ASKD-DPI (Almas, Salameh, Kutkut, and Doubali-Denture Plaque Index). It ranged from 0 - 100%, and reflected the percentage of the intaglio surfaces of maxillary and mandibular complete dentures that contained plaque. It also classified quantitative percentages: 30 subjects ranged from 0 - 30% (low DPI), 50 subjects ranged from 31 - 70% (moderate DPI), and 20 subjects ranged from 71 - 100% (high DPI) denture plaque score.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A simplified denture plaque index (ASKD-DPI) technique was developed and tested in this study. ASKD-DPI may be used for evaluating denture plaque scores, monitoring denture hygiene, and measuring compliance of patients regarding plaque control for complete dentures.
authors.forename: Khalid
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Almas
authors.forename: Ziad
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Salameh
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kutkut
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al Doubali
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000145:classification; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D003819:Denture Bases; D003824:Denture, Complete; D003826:Denture, Complete, Lower; D003827:Denture, Complete, Upper; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010781:Photography / Q000379:methods; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents