Newly Developed Computer-Assisted Image Analysis for the Evaluation of Gingival Inflammatory Status in Mass Periodontal Examination

The present paper describes a newly developed system of computer-assisted image analysis for the automatic evaluation of gingival status by measuring redness and swelling, which are symptoms of inflammation. We evaluated the usability of this system, which consisted of a digital camera, a computer, and custom-made software. One hundred and twenty-four subjects were selected randomly from students (13-18 years old) in a girls' school. Digital images of labial views of upper incisors were taken during a mass periodontal examination. CPI (Community Periodontal Index) code and PI (Plaque Index) codes were also measured. All images were processed using the proposed software. Subjects were classified into 3 groups according to their CPI or PI codes. In a colorimetric analysis, the images were assessed as real numbers over the range from 45.41 to 100, and colorimetric and morphometric data were plotted as a two-dimensional scattergram. This system provided a more detailed evaluation of gingival status than the CPI or PI codes. Comparison of the high-scoring and low-scoring images selected by this system suggests that the system is useful for mass examination of gingival status. J. Jpn. Soc. Periodontol., 42: 49-55, 2000.