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Semi-Automated Planimetric Quantification of Dental Plaque Using an Intraoral Fluorescence Camera
Published on: January 27, 2023
DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES FOR DENTAL PLAQUE ASSESSMENT: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS OF CORRELATION COEFFICIENTS
Kaixin Guo1, Jason Chi-Kit Ku2, Yanqi Yang1
1Paediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong S.A.R., China.
The Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice
|August 5, 2026
Summary
Digital technologies show strong associations with dental plaque assessment methods. However, low evidence certainty necessitates further high-quality research for widespread adoption.
Area of Science:
- Dental Diagnostics
- Biomedical Imaging
- Digital Health
Background:
- Dental plaque assessment traditionally relies on subjective visual inspection or invasive methods.
- Objective, non-invasive methods are needed to improve accuracy and patient experience.
- Digital technologies offer potential for enhanced dental plaque evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-analyze the association strength between digital technologies and reference standards for dental plaque assessment.
- To identify specific digital technologies and methodologies that show the strongest correlations.
- To evaluate the impact of adjuncts like disclosing agents on these associations.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature search across major databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Ovid MEDLINE, Cochrane).
- Two independent reviewers for study screening and data extraction.
- Meta-analysis using Fisher's z scores to pool associations; QUADAS-2 and GRADE for quality and certainty assessment.
Main Results:
- 16 studies included in meta-analysis showed a strong overall association (Pearson's r=0.77, Spearman's ρ=0.76).
- AI-aided methods (r=0.87) and 3D intraoral scanners (ρ=0.91) demonstrated very strong associations.
- Disclosing agents improved associations (Pearson's r from 0.53 to 0.81), but high heterogeneity (I² > 98%) and risk of bias (96% high/unclear) resulted in very low certainty of evidence.
Conclusions:
- Digital technologies exhibit significant potential for objective, non-invasive dental plaque assessment.
- Despite strong observed associations, substantial heterogeneity and very low evidence certainty limit current conclusions.
- High-quality research focusing on patient selection and comprehensive outcomes is crucial for validating and adopting these technologies.