| Title: | Mapping dental biofilms : from plaque index through planimetry to volumetric analysis |
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| Authors: | ID Povšič, Katja (Author)
ID Fijavž, Luka (Author)
ID Munjaković, Haris (Author)
ID Kašaj, Adrian (Author)
ID Gašperšič, Rok (Author) |
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| Files: |  PDF - Presentation file, download (2,54 MB)
MD5: 1B3E4CF72A629652EF8F0D23EA9D36E4
 URL - Source URL, visit https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00784-025-06729-z
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| Language: | English |
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| Typology: | 1.01 - Original Scientific Article |
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| Organization: |  UKC LJ - Ljubljana University Medical Centre
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| Abstract: | Objectives: 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. |
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| Keywords: | 3D imaging, computer assisted image analysis, dental deposits, dental plaque, dental plaque index, diagnostic imaging |
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| Publication status: | Published |
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| Publication version: | Version of Record |
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| Year of publishing: | 2026 |
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| Number of pages: | str. 1-10 |
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| Numbering: | Vol. 30, iss. 1, [Article no.] 38 |
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| PID: | 20.500.12556/DiRROS-28791  |
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| UDC: | 616.31 |
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| ISSN on article: | 1432-6981 |
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| DOI: | 10.1007/s00784-025-06729-z |
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| COBISS.SI-ID: | 266182915 |
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| Note: |
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| Publication date in DiRROS: | 07.04.2026 |
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| Views: | 29 |
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| Downloads: | 14 |
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