J Dent Hyg Sci.  2021 Dec;21(4):219-226. 10.17135/jdhs.2021.21.4.219.

Comparison of Clinical Characteristics of Fluorescence in Quantitative Light-Induced Fluorescence Images according to the Maturation Level of Dental Plaque

• Jung EH
• Oh HY

• KMID: 2523648
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.17135/jdhs.2021.21.4.219

Abstract

Background
Proper detection and management of dental plaque are essential for individual oral health. We aimed to evaluate the maturation level of dental plaque using a two-tone disclosing agent and to compare it with the fluorescence of dental plaque on the quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) image to obtain primary data for the development of a new dental plaque scoring system.
Methods
Twenty-eight subjects who consented to participate after understanding the purpose of the study were screened. The images of the anterior teeth were obtained using the QLF device. Subsequently, dental plaque was stained with a two-tone disclosing solution and a photograph was obtained with a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera. The staining scores were assigned as follows: 0 for no staining, 1 for pink staining, and 2 for blue staining. The marked points on the DSLR images were selected for RGB color analysis. The relationship between dental plaque maturation and the red/green (R/G) ratio was evaluated using Spearman’s rank correlation. Additionally, different red fluorescence values according to dental plaque accumulation were assessed using one-way analysis of variance followed by Scheffe’s post-hoc test to identify statistically significant differences between the groups.
Results
A comparison of the intensity of red fluorescence according to the maturation of the two-tone stained dental plaque confirmed that R/G ratio was higher in the QLF images with dental plaque maturation (p＜0.001). Correlation analysis between the stained dental plaque and the red fluorescence intensity in the QLF image confirmed an excellent positive correlation (p＜0.001).
Conclusion
A new plaque scoring system can be developed based on the results of the present study. In addition, these study
results
may also help in dental plaque management in the clinical setting.

Keyword

Dental plaque; Dental plaque index; Quantitative light-induced fluorescence; Red fluorescence