Reproducibility of quantitative measurement of white enamel demineralisation by image analysis

The reproducibility of measuring artificial enamel white spot lesions from captured photographic images using computerised image analysis was assessed . Enamel lesions were induced on the buccal surface of 22 human teeth over periods of 3, 7 and 14 days. Standardised photographs were taken from above and below the occlusal plane. These were repeated after 2 weeks. The photo graphs were converted into TIFF images and mean grey scale levels of the ar eas of etched enamel were measured using computerised image analysis. Asses sment of repeat readings of the same slide showed good reproducibility for photographs taken below the occlusal plane. The limits of agreement showed reasonable agreement between readings carried out on two slides of the same tooth. Capturing TIFF images via 35-mm film and measuring grey scale level s by computerised image analysis is a useful method of quantitative study o f early enamel demineralisation, This may be developed for application in t he clinical setting. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.