Mapping dental biofilmsPovšič, Katja (Avtor) Fijavž, Luka (Avtor) Munjaković, Haris (Avtor) Kašaj, Adrian (Avtor) Gašperšič, Rok (Avtor) 3D imagingcomputer assisted image analysisdental depositsdental plaquedental plaque indexdiagnostic imagingObjectives: Conventional plaque assessment methods, such as clinical indices and planimetry, rely on plaque-disclosing agents and may overemphasize thin biofilm areas due to plaque thickness variations. This study introduces a digital 3D method to quantify and visualize dental plaque volume from consecutive intraoral scans (IOS) and compares it with the Turesky Modification of the Quigley-Hein Plaque Index (TMQHPlI) and planimetry. Methods: After professional supragingival debridement at baseline (T0), fifteen participants refrained from oral hygiene for four days (T4). De novo plaque formation was assessed at T4 using TMQHPlI after application of a two-tone (pink/purple) plaque-disclosing agent. IOSs (3Shape TRIOS 4) were obtained at T0 and T4. Plaque accumulation was quantified using color-coded IOS comparisons with the Volumetric Plaque Index (VPI) and Adjusted VPI (AVPI). Machine learning (Trainable Weka Segmentation) was used to calculate the Planimetric Plaque Index (PPI). Results: A correlation between plaque surface area and volume was observed only for purple/mature plaque (p = 0.043). Early plaque growth was dominated by expansion of pink-stained, newly formed plaque. Once more than one-third of the surface was covered, further increases resulted mainly from vertical thickening rather than lateral spread. Conclusions: 3D volumetric analysis offers a comprehensive, objective, and clinician-friendly method for assessing dental biofilms. Clinical relevance: The proposed 3D approach enables accurate monitoring of plaque accumulation and maturation, improving personalized oral hygiene assessment, patient education, and clinical decision-making.20262026-04-07 14:06:54Neznano28791UDK: 616.31ISSN pri članku: 1432-6981DOI: 10.1007/s00784-025-06729-zCOBISS_ID: 266182915sl