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Elcock C, Smith RN, Simpson J, Abdellatif A, Bäckman B, Brook AH. Comparison of methods for measurement of hypoplastic lesions. Eur J Oral Sci 2006; 114 (Suppl. 1): 365–369 © Eur J Oral Sci, 2006 --> Enamel hypoplasia is a quantitative defect of enamel thickness. Methods previously used for its measurement have limitations in clinical studies. The aim of this study was to investigate new methods of measurement using image analysis. Lesions on 8 teeth affected by enamel hypoplasia were quantified from study models and impression surfaces using an image‐analysis system. The measurements made included lesion area and tooth surface area; from these the proportion of tooth surface area affected was calculated. For comparison, manual measurement was performed on impression surfaces and study models, using digital callipers. Images were also acquired of lesions on 12 exfoliated teeth, and the lesion area and total tooth area were calculated. For assessment of intra‐operator reliability, the +/– repeatability coefficient was calculated. Measurement of the surface of lesions direct from the exfoliated teeth gave the best results overall, followed by direct image analysis of the silicone impression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elcock C, Lath DL, Luty JD, Gallagher MG, Abdellatif A, Bäckman B, Brook AH. The new Enamel Defects Index: testing and expansion. Eur J Oral Sci 2006; 114 (Suppl. 1): 35–38 © Eur J Oral Sci, 2006 --> The Enamel Defects Index (EDI) was created based on three innovative principles: (i) a basic level of the three major categories of defects; (ii) more detailed subcategories of each major category; and (iii) each category scored independently as present [1] or absent [0], simplifying decision making. The aim of this investigation was to further test the index in a number of applications and to expand it to record defect subtype and treatment need. Testing was undertaken by operators with different levels of clinical experience. A computer‐assisted learning (CAL) package was developed for operator training and calibration. The index was also used on clinical photographs and high‐resolution digital images of exfoliated and extracted teeth. Scoring of photographs revealed substantial intra‐operator agreement. Training using the CAL package resulted in significant improvement in index use. Intra‐operator reproducibility was good to excellent, and interoperator reproducibility was good for buccal surfaces on digital images. Index expansion allowed information on defect subtype, location, and treatment need to be gathered readily. The EDI has high reproducibility and allows more rapid and accurate data collection from clinical and in vitro studies than the Fédération Dentaire Internationale Developmental Defects of Enamel index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]