Abstract
Background
Color-mixing ability tests are frequently used to assess masticatory performance but the image acquisition process may be cumbersome and technique sensitive.
Objectives
To evaluate the reliability of smartphone camera images in assessing masticatory performance using a color-mixing ability test.
Methods
Participants were recruited into three groups of dental state (n=20 each): fully dentate, removable partial denture wearers and complete denture wearers. After performing a color-mixing ability test, images of the gum specimens (Hue-Check Gum©) were captured with two smartphones and compared with the images obtained from a flat-bed scanner by two examiners. The images were analyzed with a subjective- (SA) and an opto-electronical assessment (VoH). Inter- and intra-rater reliability were tested. ANOVA models with repeated measures were used for statistical analysis (⍺=0.05).
Results
All three image acquisition techniques were able to distinguish masticatory performance between different dental states. For SA, intra-rater reliability was slight to moderate and inter-rater reliability was substantial to almost perfect. For VoH, intra-rater reliability with the smartphones were significantly different between two examiners, but the inter-rater assessment was reliable. The opto-electronic analysis with smartphone images underestimated the masticatory performance significantly when compared to the flat-bed scanner analysis. Seven-day ageing of the specimens did not significantly affect the results.
Conclusions
The assessment of masticatory performance with the Hue-Check Gum© is a reliable method. The use of smartphones may occasionally underestimate masticatory performance; image acquisition with a flatbed scanner remains the gold standard. A centralized analysis of the photographed wafer may foster the reliability of the diagnosis.
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