Visible Occlusal Plaque Index Predicting Caries Lesion Activity

Area of Science:

• Dental Public Health
• Cariology
• Preventive Dentistry

Background:

• Assessing occlusal caries lesion activity is crucial for timely intervention in adolescents.
• The Visible Occlusal Plaque Index (VOPI) is a clinical tool for evaluating plaque levels on tooth surfaces.
• Predictive validity of VOPI for caries progression requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the predictive validity of the Visible Occlusal Plaque Index (VOPI) in assessing occlusal caries lesion activity in adolescents.
• To determine the association between plaque levels (VOPI) and the development, progression, and activity of occlusal caries.
• To assess the role of VOPI as a predictor for caries lesion transitions.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal study involving 618 adolescents aged 10-15 years, with a 2-year follow-up.
• Occlusal surfaces were categorized based on VOPI scores (0-1: no/thin plaque; 2-3: thick/heavy plaque).
• Caries lesion status (sound, inactive, active, cavitated, noncavitated) was recorded at baseline and follow-up. Relative risks (RR) and logistic regression were used for analysis.

Main Results:

• Sound occlusal surfaces with thick/heavy plaque had a higher risk of developing caries compared to those with no/thin plaque.
• Inactive noncavitated lesions with thick/heavy plaque were more likely to progress than those with less plaque.
• Active noncavitated lesions with thick/heavy plaque showed the lowest chance of becoming sound and the highest risk of remaining active. Nonclinical predictors were not significant.

Conclusions:

• The Visible Occlusal Plaque Index (VOPI) is a significant predictor of occlusal caries lesion development, progression, and activity in adolescents.
• Plaque accumulation, as indicated by higher VOPI scores, is directly associated with increased caries risk and activity.
• VOPI serves as a valuable clinical tool for assessing oral hygiene and predicting caries outcomes, particularly for lesions undergoing transitions.