Development of subgingival calculus detector utilizing optical fiber: Verification of its potential for clinical application

The removal of subgingival deposits, especially calculus, plays a crucial role in basic periodontal therapy. However, manual detection methods affect accuracy owing to the operator's skill. To avoid this uncertainty, we have developed a calculus detection device named "Sensor probe" and evaluated its ability to detect calculus for future clinical applications. The Sensor probe consisted of a 635 nm-wavelength semiconductor laser and a 0.5 mm-diameter single-mode optical fiber. Initially, the performance of the device was evaluated using clinically obtained extracted teeth with calculus covered with a stainless-steel shielding plate with pinhole. Then, the effect of the optical fiber's end shape on calculus detection performance was analyzed. Lastly, the performance of the Sensor probe was compared to that of a conventional periodontal probe in terms of accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity for calculus detection using calculus-covered extracted teeth. The results indicated that Sensor probe detected dental calculus through the pinhole with a diameter of 300 μm or more when applied from a distance of 100 μm. The results analyzing the effect of the optical fiber's end shape on calculus detection performance showed that cutting the fiber end at an angle of 45° resulted in the most effective calculus detection. This may be because the laser light refracted on the cut surface and concentrated on the fiber side. Moreover, by comparing the performance of this device to a conventional periodontal probe revealed that the Sensor probe showed improved calculus detection accuracy in deeper periodontal pockets. This improvement was particularly significant in the apical third, where detection is typically difficult. In conclusion, a Sensor probe that uses an optical fiber with a 45° angled end may facilitate subgingival calculus detection. In future clinical applications, Sensor probes could lead to more accurate and efficient calculus removal, especially for deeper periodontal pockets.

Evaluation of calculus imaging on root surfaces by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the ability of optical coherence tomography (OCT) to display calculus on root surfaces.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Ten teeth with calculus on the root surface were embedded in resin, omitting the root surface. A region of interest (ROI) was marked by small drill holes coronally and apically of the calculus and imaged by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography ([SD OCT], Telesto SP5, centre wavelength 1310 nm) and light microscopy (LM). To evaluate the impact of different fluids on calculus visualisation, using OCT, root surfaces were covered by a layer of NaCl and blood and displayed by OCT. Subsequently, teeth were completely covered with resin and sectioned for histological evaluation. Within the ROI, lengths of root surface and calculus were measured by LM and OCT, and the ratio [%] was calculated. In addition, at three sites of each ROI, agreement of presence and length of calculus was evaluated. Both methods were compared using Pearson's correlation.

RESULTS

Regarding the presence of calculus, agreement between LM and OCT was strong (κ_i = 0.783, p = 0.033), and measurements regarding the length of the calculus were strongly correlated (r_i >0.906; p_i <0.001). However, the values differed for dry (p = 0.023) and NaCl-covered root surfaces (p = 0.035).

CONCLUSION

Calculus on the root surface can be displayed by SD-OCT, which therefore may be suited as imaging technology for subgingival calculus in periodontal pockets.

Non-surgical periodontal treatment of peri-implant diseases with the adjunctive use of diode laser: preliminary clinical study

Peri-implant diseases present in two forms: peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis. The prevalence of peri-implant complications is significantly rising. The aim of this study was to compare conventional treatment of inflamed peri-implant tissues with conventional treatment together with diode laser application. Twenty-seven patients (age 36 to 67, 15 women and 12 men, 12 smokers and 15 non-smokers) requiring treatment for mucositis or peri-implantitis were taken into account for this preliminary study. Plaque index (PI), pocket depth (PD), and bleeding on probing (BoP) were recorded at baseline evaluation. Patients in control group (CG) received conventional non-surgical periodontal treatment. Patients in test group received conventional non-surgical periodontal treatment together with diode laser application (810 nm, 30 s, 1 W, 50 Hz, t on = 100 ms, t off = 100 ms, energy density = 24.87 J/cm(2)). Paired t test was used to evaluate the difference in repeated measurements of considered indexes at T 0 and T 1 (1 year) in both groups. A total of 606 sites were taken into account in the test group (TG) and 144 in the CG. PD mean variation in the TG was 2.66 mm ± 1.07, while mean PD variation in the CG was 0.94 ± 1.13 mm. Paired t testing of the variation in PD in CG and TG revealed a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p < 0.0001). A reduction of pathological sites from 89 % (T 0) to 14.35 % (T 1) was achieved in the TG, while reduction obtained in the CG was from 75.69 % (T 0) to 50 % (T 1); BoP scores at time T 1 had fallen below 5 % in the TG and decreased to 59.7 %, in the CG. Within the limitations of this study, diode laser seems to be an additional valuable tool for peri-implant disease treatment.

Reliability of recordings of subgingival calculus detected using an ultrasonic device

OBJECTIVES

To assess the intra-examiner reliability of recordings of subgingival calculus detected using an ultrasonic device, and to investigate the influence of subject-, tooth- and site-level factors on the reliability of these subgingival calculus recordings.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

On two occasions, within a 1-week interval, 147 adult periodontitis patients received a full-mouth clinical periodontal examination by a single trained examiner. Duplicate subgingival calculus recordings, in six sites per tooth, were obtained using an ultrasonic device for calculus detection and removal.

RESULTS

Agreement was observed in 65 % of the 22,584 duplicate subgingival calculus recordings, ranging 45 % to 83 % according to subject. Using hierarchical modeling, disagreements in the subgingival calculus duplicate recordings were more likely in all other sites than the mid-buccal, and in sites harboring supragingival calculus. Disagreements were less likely in sites with PD ≥  4 mm and with furcation involvement  ≥  degree 2. Bleeding on probing or suppuration did not influence the reliability of subgingival calculus. At the subject-level, disagreements were less likely in patients presenting with the highest and lowest extent categories of the covariate subgingival calculus.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The reliability of subgingival calculus recordings using the ultrasound technology is reasonable. The results of the present study suggest that the reliability of subgingival calculus recordings is not influenced by the presence of inflammation. Moreover, subgingival calculus can be more reliably detected using the ultrasound device at sites with higher need for periodontal therapy, i.e., sites presenting with deep pockets and premolars and molars with furcation involvement.

Detection, removal and prevention of calculus: Literature Review

Dental plaque is considered to be a major etiological factor in the development of periodontal disease. Accordingly, the elimination of supra- and sub-gingival plaque and calculus is the cornerstone of periodontal therapy. Dental calculus is mineralized plaque; because it is porous, it can absorb various toxic products that can damage the periodontal tissues. Hence, calculus should be accurately detected and thoroughly removed for adequate periodontal therapy. Many techniques have been used to identify and remove calculus deposits present on the root surface. The purpose of this review was to compile the various methods and their advantages for the detection and removal of calculus.

Low-cost periodontal therapy

Periodontitis is a complex infectious disease that affects low-income individuals disproportionately. Periodontitis is associated with specific bacterial species and herpesviruses, and successful prevention and treatment of the disease is contingent upon effective control of these pathogens. This article presents an efficacious, highly safe, minimally invasive, practical and low-cost periodontal therapy that involves professional and patient-administered mechanical therapy and antimicrobial agents. The major components are scaling for calculus removal, periodontal pocket irrigation with potent antiseptics, and treatment with systemic antibiotics for advanced disease. Povidone-iodine and sodium hypochlorite have all the characteristics for becoming the first-choice antiseptics in the management of periodontal diseases. Both agents show excellent antibacterial and antiviral properties, are readily available throughout the world, have been safely used in periodontal therapy for decades, offer significant benefits for individuals with very limited financial resources, and are well accepted by most dental professionals and patients. Four per cent chlorhexidine applied with a toothbrush to the most posterior part to the tongue dorsum can markedly reduce or eliminate halitosis in most individuals. Systemic antibiotics are used to treat periodontopathic bacteria that are not readily reached by topical therapy, such as pathogens within gingival tissue, within furcation defects, at the base of periodontal pockets, and on the tongue, tonsils and buccal mucosae. Valuable antibiotic therapies are amoxicillin-metronidazole (250 mg of amoxicillin and 250 mg of metronidazole, three times daily for 8 days) for young and middle-aged patients, and ciprofloxacin-metronidazole (500 mg of each, twice daily for 8 days) for elderly patients and for patients in developing countries who frequently harbor enteric rods subgingivally. Scaling to remove dental calculus and the prudent use of inexpensive antimicrobial agents can significantly retard or arrest progressive periodontitis in the great majority of patients.