• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.25 no.6
• /
• pp.518-539
• /
• 2024

Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) has emerged as a pivotal tool for diagnosing and risk-stratifying patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). Recent advancements in image analysis and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques have enabled the comprehensive quantitative analysis of coronary atherosclerosis. Fully quantitative assessments of coronary stenosis and lumen attenuation have improved the accuracy of assessing stenosis severity and predicting hemodynamically significant lesions. In addition to stenosis evaluation, quantitative plaque analysis plays a crucial role in predicting and monitoring CAD progression. Studies have demonstrated that the quantitative assessment of plaque subtypes based on CT attenuation provides a nuanced understanding of plaque characteristics and their association with cardiovascular events. Quantitative analysis of serial CCTA scans offers a unique perspective on the impact of medical therapies on plaque modification. However, challenges such as time-intensive analyses and variability in software platforms still need to be addressed for broader clinical implementation. The paradigm of CCTA has shifted towards comprehensive quantitative plaque analysis facilitated by technological advancements. As these methods continue to evolve, their integration into routine clinical practice has the potential to enhance risk assessment and guide individualized patient management. This article reviews the evolving landscape of quantitative plaque analysis in CCTA and explores its applications and limitations.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.219-226
• /
• 2021

Background: Proper detection and management of dental plaque are essential for individual oral health. We aimed to evaluate the maturation level of dental plaque using a two-tone disclosing agent and to compare it with the fluorescence of dental plaque on the quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) image to obtain primary data for the development of a new dental plaque scoring system. Methods: Twenty-eight subjects who consented to participate after understanding the purpose of the study were screened. The images of the anterior teeth were obtained using the QLF device. Subsequently, dental plaque was stained with a two-tone disclosing solution and a photograph was obtained with a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera. The staining scores were assigned as follows: 0 for no staining, 1 for pink staining, and 2 for blue staining. The marked points on the DSLR images were selected for RGB color analysis. The relationship between dental plaque maturation and the red/green (R/G) ratio was evaluated using Spearman's rank correlation. Additionally, different red fluorescence values according to dental plaque accumulation were assessed using one-way analysis of variance followed by Scheffe's post-hoc test to identify statistically significant differences between the groups. Results: A comparison of the intensity of red fluorescence according to the maturation of the two-tone stained dental plaque confirmed that R/G ratio was higher in the QLF images with dental plaque maturation (p<0.001). Correlation analysis between the stained dental plaque and the red fluorescence intensity in the QLF image confirmed an excellent positive correlation (p<0.001). Conclusion: A new plaque scoring system can be developed based on the results of the present study. In addition, these study results may also help in dental plaque management in the clinical setting.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.200-207
• /
• 2024

Background: This study aimed to evaluate whether a Novel Plaque Index (NPI) using intraoral camera images would be more useful for assessing the accumulated area of dental plaque compared to three other indices. Methods: This study evaluated 80 disclosed plaque tooth surface images from 40 participants, including the facial surfaces of the maxillary left first molar and mandibular left central incisor. The tooth surface was divided longitudinally into three sections, with each section further subdivided into four subsections. A score ranging from 0 to 5 was assigned to each longitudinal third, and the average score was determined as the NPI score for the tooth surface. Two examiners assessed the NPI, Patient Hygiene Performance Index, Quigley and Hein Plaque Index, and Rustogi's Modified Navy Plaque Index scores obtained using the plaque images. The assessments were repeated twice with a 2-weeks washout period. The Plaque Percent Index (PPI) score calculated via image analysis is considered the gold standard. Results: The NPI showed the highest correlation coefficient with PPI compared to the other indices (examiner 1: 0.87, examiner 2: 0.88). The intraexaminer reliability of the NPI was excellent for both examiners. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for examiner 1 and 2 was 0.95 and 0.93, respectively. The weighted kappa values were >0.85 for both examiners. The ICC of the interexaminer analysis was 0.93 and the weighted kappa showed a reliability value of 0.81. Conclusion: The NPI was found to have greater validity and reliability than the three existing indices for the quantitative scoring of dental plaque.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.125-133
• /
• 2024

Background: The management of dental plaque and the appropriate use of oral hygiene tools are crucial for oral health. With increasing interest in oral health care, various oral hygiene products are available on the market. As the most basic oral hygiene tool, the large-head toothbrush has gained significant consumer interest. This study evaluates the suitability of large-head toothbrushes as oral hygiene tools by comparing their efficacy with that of regular-sized toothbrushes. Methods: We evaluated the efficacy of large-head and regular-sized toothbrushes. The amount of dental plaque before and after brushing was measured using quantitative light-induced fluorescence digital (QLF-D) images and the plaque index (PI) in adult participants with more than 28 teeth (n=15/group). After brushing, the collected toothbrushes were rinsed 10 times in clean water, thoroughly dried, and weighed on an electronic scale. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test with SPSS Statistics Version 29.0. Results: QLF-D analysis showed a significant decrease in fluorescence intensity scores after use of a regular-sized toothbrush, whereas the scores after use of a large-head toothbrush were not significantly reduced. PI measurements indicated significant reductions in dental plaque for both head types. However, detailed analysis by tooth surface revealed that the regular-sized toothbrush significantly reduced plaque on the proximal, palatal/lingual, and labial/buccal surfaces. In contrast, the large-head toothbrush only showed significant reductions in place on the proximal and palatal/lingual surfaces, not on the labial/buccal surface. Additionally, compared to the regular-sized toothbrush, the large-head toothbrush retained more toothpaste residue despite similar cleaning efforts after brushing. Conclusion: Compared to the regular-sized toothbrush, the large-head toothbrush showed lower overall efficacy in dental plaque removal. The results of this study provide significant information regarding the use of large-head toothbrushes.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.50 no.2
• /
• pp.244-247
• /
• 2018

Quantitative analysis for non-host infection bacteriophage was conducted for their enumeration. Flow cytometry and epifluorescence microscopy (EPM) were selected as counting methods. Correlation analysis was performed based on the plaque assay method on the existing host infection and consisted of Pearson correlation statistical analysis, regression analysis, and difference analysis. Analyses of 12 samples with flow cytometry and plaque assay methods showed that there was a correlation of 96.7% with Pearson correlation value r=0.967, $R^2$ 0.9352, and difference value of 1.063. Analyses of 12 samples with EPM and plaque assay methods showed that there was a correlation of 99.0% with Pearson correlation value r=0.990, $R^2$ 0.9811, and difference value of 1.605. Therefore, flow cytometry and epifluorescence microscopy would be effective for enumeration of Weissella cibaria bacteriophage with plaque assay.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.377-382
• /
• 2015

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of plaque scoring system using new Qraycam (All in One Bio, Korea) device which enables plaque score without tooth disclosing. This study measured Quigley-Hein index and plaque control record by both Qraycam and disclosing agent on 64 elderly people and checked degree of congruence between the two methods. Reliability was evaluated with the mean of measured values, kappa index and intraclass correlation coefficient statistical analysis. The analysis of the plaque scores showed a high agreement between the measured values according to the method of measurement and the measured part. The mean of plaque index of anterior labial were not significantly different according to measurement method. The kappa index was higher by Qraycam and tooth disclosing method of plaque index. Therefore, it was verified that Qraycam has sufficient reliability as screening tool for plaque scoring system.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• v.53 no.3
• /
• pp.209-216
• /
• 2023

Purpose: This study was conducted to compare dental plaque scores obtained through clinical examinations and various imaging techniques, as well as to assess the effectiveness of herbal and conventional toothpastes for plaque removal. Materials and Methods: Thirty volunteers were divided into 3 groups. Each group was given a different toothpaste (from 2 herbal toothpastes and a conventional toothpaste) with which to brush their teeth for 21 days. Both initially and after brushing, dental plaque samples were collected, and plaque on the buccal surfaces of anterior teeth was scored using several imaging systems after staining with a disclosing agent. Specifically, digital dental photography, intraoral digital scanning, and FluoreCam imaging were employed to capture intraoral images. The Turesky Modified Quigley-Hein Plaque Index was used for clinical examination and image analysis. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analyses and correlational assessments between clinical examination and imaging scores were conducted before and after toothpaste use. The Shapiro-Wilk test and Pearson correlations were utilized. Results: The lowest mean value was observed in the clinical examination without staining, while the highest was obtained using the FluoreCam method. No significant change was found in the level of any microorganism assessed following toothpaste use (P<0.05), with the exception of a decrease in S. mutans levels after using conventional toothpaste (P<0.05). Conclusion: Herbal toothpaste demonstrated plaque-removal effectiveness comparable to that of conventional toothpaste. The use of imaging methods for measuring plaque index has been suggested as a means to educate patients about plaque control and promote ongoing oral care.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.150-157
• /
• 2014

The aim of this study was to suggest a convenient method of monitoring the gingival state through plaque detection. Quantitative Light-Induced Fluorescence-Digital (QLF-D), which can assess mature plaque, can be used to assess the oral hygiene status of individuals and to establish an adequate intervention plans for them. The subjects of the study participated in the clinical training at Department of Dental Hygiene, N University. The subjects completed questionnaires on general characteristics and oral hygiene methods. Then, photographs of maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth of the subjects were taken using the QLF-D. After the oral examinations, gingival state was recorded according to the $L{\ddot{o}}e$ & Silness's Gingival Index (GI). In addition, a plaque control record was calculated in percentage using disclosing agent. The analysis of the relation between the plaque control record and the QLF-D scores showed positive correlation (r=0.638, p<0.001), and the analysis of the relation between the QLF-D scores and the gingival bleeding index scores also showed positive correlation (r=0.562, p<0.001). Besides, the study classified the participants into healthy gingiva group and the gingivitis group according to the classification criteria of GI, and when the difference of QLF-D scores between the groups was analyzed, the QLF-D scores were statistically significantly higher (t=-2.785, p=0.007) in the gingivitis group ($1.71{\pm}1.545$) than the healthy gingiva group ($0.74{\pm}1.290$). When the differences in mean values of the QLF-D scores were analyzed against and the gingival bleeding index scores, the QLF-D scores of 0 and 1 belonged to the category of normal gingival state while the QLF-D scores of 2, 3 and 4 belonged to the category of gingivitis state. Therefore, it is deemed that the red fluorescence detected by the QLF-D from the mature supragingival plaque can be used for monitoring the state of gingivitis.

• Proceedings of the KACD Conference
• /
• 2001.11a
• /
• pp.560.2-560
• /
• 2001

Dental caries is a chronic disease that causes the destruction of tooth structure by the interaction of plaque bacteria, food debris, and saliva. There has been attempts to induce remineralization by supersaturating the intra-oral environment around the surface enamel, where there is incipient caries. In this study, supersaturated remineralized solution was applied to specimens with incipient enamel caries, and the quantitative analysis of remineralization was evaluated using microradiography.(omitted)

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.49 no.3
• /
• pp.292-296
• /
• 2013

This study utilized an analysis method for detecting six microorganisms, such as Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Campylobacter rectus, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythus, Treponema denticola, and Prevotella intermedia, triggering periodontal disease, using multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The analysis including internal control was made by dividing the six species into two groups using four fluorescence dyes, and it was verified that there was no interference or cross-reaction between the target species and different kinds of oral microbial species. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were conducted on each microorganism in various samples, such as saliva and the plaque, using the multiplex real-time PCR and comparative analysis between periodontitis patients and healthy people, revealing obvious differences between them.