The diagnostic evaluation of supra- and subgingival calculus has remained a
n important research problem for over 40 years. The measurement of calculus
remains an important objective in both research and office settings. As mi
ght be expected, the most important advances in diagnostic methods for calc
ulus assessment have been derived from cross-fertilization from other techn
ical disciplines including engineering, optics and computer science fields.
With the new methods described herein, clinicians and researchers can look
forward to important advances in our understanding of the impact of suprag
ingival and subgingival calculus on oral health status and periodontal dise
ase progression and in the development of treatment modalities for improved
calculus control, benefiting patients and clinicians alike. Copyright (C)
2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.