Plaque detection using intraoral scanning
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating the utility of 3D-intraoral scan imaging to score plaque compared to clinical visual assessment
IRAS ID
334049
Contact name
Nicola West
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
3Shape TRIOS A/S
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 18 days
Research summary
Plaque is microbial biofilms on surfaces such as teeth that can cause local inflammatory reactions and on a long-term, can lead to oral diseases. In routine clinical practice, dental professionals typically detect plaque by visual examination aided by a dental explorer. Plaque is generally colorless, and can be visualized by staining with a disclosing agent. DAs are special dyes that adhere to the biofilm and contrasts the plaque with color to the white tooth surface. When clinically assessing plaque, the assessment can be supported by using an index - many of these are, however, used more for research than in routine clinical practice.
The general routine clinical procedure for plaque detection has disadvantages such as lack of recording of clinical findings in images and dependency of examiner's skills.
Development of non-invasive techniques independent of human error to assist in plaque detection would have great benefit. Having an algorithm that can aid in plaque detection on 3D scan images of teeth would be useful to both clinicians and patients, as you may save time and effort from the current method and the images could be beneficial for patients' understanding of the plaque.
This project is about collecting data that will be used later to check if an algorithm detects plaque from intraoral scans comparably to an in-clinic assessment of plaque. In this study, teeth and mouth are examined in order to assess the level of plaque, if any. This research is also to aid the Danish medical device company, 3Shape, in developing an algorithm for plaque detection aid, which may assist dental professionals in the future and thus improve plaque management.
Only routine clinical procedures that are minimally invasive are involved in this study.REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/YH/0130
Date of REC Opinion
10 Jun 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion