Open Access

Ahmad Al Jaghsi

• The aim of the study was to develop and evaluate the reliability and agreement of new computer planimetric method for measurement and assessment of plaque on all types of removable dental prostheses RPDs. The instrument (new method) was tested by evaluating the efficacy of the rotating needles device in cleaning specific parts of RPD. From a database containing 780 images, which were taken in a standardized method for 65 RDPs for 49 participants, 55 images were selected randomly for image analysis. Adobe Photoshop software was used according to a standard operating procedure (SOP) by a main examiner two times in different sessions, and 1 time by 3 other examiners. In order to estimate the intra- and inter-examiner reliability, intraclass correlation coefficients ICC(2,1) was used. Three parameters were used to estimate agreement: standard error of measurement (SEM), smallest detectable change at 95% confidence level (SDC95%), and limits of agreement (LoA) according to Bland¨CAltman method. In the database, only 34 subjects were found with double crown retained removable denture and veneer over the secondary crown. 49x2 (before x after) images for 34 RDPs went under image analyses to calculate POP before and after cleaning the RDPs with the rotating needle device. Data were analysed using Wilcoxon signed-rank test. In all steps of image analysis, both intra-examiner and inter- examiner reliability were excellent with ICC(2,1) values > 0.85 at 95% confidence level. Intra- and inter-examiner values for both, SEM and SDC95% were ¡Ü 6% and ¡Ü17% respectively. The Bland¨CAltman analysis revealed a satisfactory level of agreement. POP is significantly more on the veneer than on the base(B-O), P <0.05. The rotating needles device is effective in cleaning the veneer and base(B-O), P <0.05 with absolute effect size 0.62. No statistical significance was detected in the effectiveness of the rotating needles device between base(B-O) and veneer. This study showed an excellent inter- and intra-examiner reproducibility, satisfactory level of examiners agreement, and acceptable measurement error of the new computer planimetric method . Furthermore, the method can be used with all types of RDPs. The rotating needles device can significantly reduce plaque on the double crown retained removable denture. The Computerized Planimetric Method (CPM) is more suitable for clinical researches because of its objectivity, reliability, high level of standardization, and the ability to detect and quantify small changes in plaque. Extra attention should be given to the veneer over the secondary crown as they are a potential part for RDP plaque accumulation.
• Ziel der Studie war es, die Zuverlässigkeit und Übereinstimmung der neuen computerplanimetrischen Methode zur Messung und Bewertung von Plaque auf allen Arten von abnehmbaren Zahnprothesen zu entwickeln und zu bewerten. Aus einer Datenbank mit 780 Bildern, die in einer standardisierten Methode für 65 abnehmbaren Zahnprothesen aufgenommen wurden, wurden 55 Bilder zufällig für die Bildanalyse ausgewählt. Die Adobe Photoshop Software wurde nach einem Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) von einem Hauptprüfer zweimal in verschiedenen Sessions und 1 Mal von 3 anderen Prüfern eingesetzt. Um die Intra- und Inter-Prüfer-Zuverlässigkeit abzuschätzen, wurden Intraclass-Korrelationskoeffizienten verwendet. Es wurden drei Parameter zur Schätzung der Vereinbarung verwendet: Standardfehler der Messung (SEM), kleinste nachweisbare Veränderung bei 95% Konfidenzniveau (SDC95%) und Limite der Vereinbarung (LoA) nach Bland-Altman-Methode. In allen Schritten der Bildanalyse waren sowohl die Intra-Prüfer- als auch die Inter-Prüfer-Zuverlässigkeit mit Werten> 0,85 ausgezeichnet. Intra- und Inter-Prüfer-Werte für beide, SEM und SDC95% waren ≤ 6% bzw. ≤17%. Die Bland-Altman-Analyse ergab eine zufriedenstellende Übereinstimmung. Diese Studie zeigte eine ausgezeichnete Inter- und Intra-Prüfer-Reproduzierbarkeit, eine zufriedenstellende Höhe der Prüfervereinbarung und einen akzeptablen Messfehler der neuen computerplanimetrischen Methode. Darüber hinaus kann die Methode mit allen Arten von RDPs verwendet werden.