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Updated: Oct 14, 2025
Semi-Automated Planimetric Quantification of Dental Plaque Using an Intraoral Fluorescence Camera
Published on: January 27, 2023
Quantifying the demineralisation of enamel using a hyperspectral camera measuring fluorescence loss
Jonathan M Roberts1, David J Bradshaw2, Richard J M Lynch3
1School of Dentistry, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GN, United Kingdom.
Background:
The gold standard for quantifying mineral loss of enamel is transverse microradiography (TMR) and is complimented by the non-destructive quantitative light induced fluorescence (QLF) which measures changes in autofluorescence. Fluorescence loss has been shown to correlate with mineral loss. Building upon the established method, the use of hyperspectral fluorescence imaging (HI) allows the capture of a broader range of wavelengths to quantify fluorescence changes more accurately.
Methods:
Bovine Enamel was demineralised within the dual constant depth film fermenter over 14 days and analysed using TMR, QLF and HI. The mineral change values were compared using Pearson's Correlation Coefficient.
Results:
The analysis showed a statistically significant correlation that was equal between TMR and HI (r = 0.844) and TMR and QLF (r = 0.844), but weaker between QLF and HI (r = 0.811).
Conclusions:
The correlations indicate that HI is a promising valid non-destructive method for quantifying mineral loss from bovine enamel that is as accurate as QLF and complements TMR.
