56 - Intraoral Scanning for Detecting Erosive Tooth Wear in Primary Dentition

Abstract: Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the performance of intraoral scanners (IOS) in detecting erosive tooth wear (ETW) in primary teeth using the Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE) index.

Methods: A cross-sectional clinical study was conducted involving 36 children aged 3–12 years. An average of 13 untreated primary teeth per participant was assessed across occlusal, buccal, and lingual surfaces using direct visual examination and indirect digital scanning, yielding 1,484 tooth surface observations. Agreement between methods was evaluated using percent agreement and Cohen’s Kappa statistics (α = 0.05).

Results: Overall agreement was 86%, with indirect assessments tending to under-score BEWE 3 lesions and over-score BEWE 1 lesions. Moderate to substantial agreement was observed (κ = 0.69; weighted κ = 0.73; p < 0.001). When BEWE scores were dichotomized as erosive tooth wear versus no erosive tooth wear, agreement ranged from 91–96%, with sensitivity of 68–94% and specificity of 90–97%.

Conclusion: Intraoral scanners demonstrated moderate to substantial agreement for the assessment of erosive tooth wear in primary dentition and may serve as a useful adjunctive diagnostic tool in pediatric dentistry.

Identify Supporting Agency and Grant Number: Indiana University School of Dentistry Graduate Student Research Committee