Development of Objective Methods for Fluorosis Diagnosis

描述：目前用于诊断氟斑牙的方法依赖于基于流行病学指标的主观测量。这导致缺乏诊断敏感性、特异性，并导致数据总结和报告不一致。拟议的研究旨在开发利用成像技术（定量光荧光[QLF]和数字口腔内摄影）和视觉检查进行氟中毒诊断的客观和定量方法。结果的验证将通过氟化物含量的直接微量分析和氟化物相关低矿化的矿物质含量的 3 d 定量来提供。作为研究的一部分，拔除的牙齿和 7 至 13 岁的儿童都将接受检查。将通过目视识别所选表面为氟中毒病例或非氟中毒病例，并用 QLF 和数字口内照片进行记录。将开发一种使用显微 CT 量化氟化物相关矿化不足的方法。还将开发使用图像分析软件量化捕获图像的方法。将评估每种方法的敏感性、特异性和可重复性。氟斑牙客观诊断方法的发展将改善氟斑牙和氟化物的研究。拟议的研究将为确定评估氟斑牙的方法提供机会。它将提供方法框架来解决目前难以比较流行病学以及氟斑牙的生物和美学影响的研究结果的差异。

DESCRIPTION: Methods currently used to diagnose Dental fluorosis rely on subjective measurements based on epidemiological indices. This has resulted in lack of diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and has led to inconsistencies in data summary and report. The proposed investigation Aims at developing objective and quantitative methods for fluorosis diagnosis using imaging technology (Quantitative Light Fluorescence [QLF] and digital intraoral photography) and visual examination. Validation of results will be provided by direct microanalysis of fluoride content and 3-d quantification of mineral content of fluoride-related hypomineralization. Both extracted teeth and children ages 7 to 13 will be examined as part of the study. Identification of selected surfaces as fluorosis cases or non-fluorosis cases will be performed visually and will be recorded with QLF and digital intraoral photographs. A method to quantify fluoride-related hypomineralization using micro CT will be developed. Methods to quantify captured images using image analysis software will also be developed. Sensitivity, specificity and repeatability of each method will be assessed. The development of objective methods for Dental fluorosis diagnosis will improve Dental fluorosis and fluoride research. The proposed investigation will provide the opportunity to identify such methods for the assessment of Dental fluorosis. It will provide the methodological framework to resolve discrepancies that currently make it difficult to compare results of studies dealing with the epidemiology, and the biological and esthetic effects of Dental fluorosis.