Assessing masticatory performance with a colour-mixing ability test using smartphone camera images

Martin Schimmel; Elias Rachais; Nadin Al-Haj Husain; Frauke Müller; Murali Srinivasan; Samir Abou-Ayash

doi:10.1111/joor.13352

Assessing masticatory performance with a colour-mixing ability test using smartphone camera images

J Oral Rehabil. 2022 Oct;49(10):961-969. doi: 10.1111/joor.13352. Epub 2022 Jun 30.

Authors

Martin Schimmel^{1

2}, Elias Rachais¹, Nadin Al-Haj Husain¹, Frauke Müller², Murali Srinivasan^{2

3}, Samir Abou-Ayash¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Reconstructive Dentistry and Gerodontology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
² Division of Gerodontology and Removable Prosthodontics, University Clinics of Dental Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
³ Clinic of General- Special Care- and Geriatric Dentistry, Center of Dental Medicine, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland.

Abstract

Background: Colour-mixing ability tests are frequently used to assess masticatory performance, but the image acquisition process may be cumbersome and technique sensitive.

Objectives: To evaluate the reliability of smartphone camera images in assessing masticatory performance using a colour-mixing ability test.

Methods: Participants were recruited into three groups of dental state (n = 20 each): fully dentate, removable partial denture wearers and complete denture wearers. After performing a colour-mixing ability test, images of the gum specimens (Hue-Check Gum©) were captured with two smartphones and compared with the images obtained from a flatbed scanner by two examiners. The images were analysed with a subjective- (SA) and an opto-electronical assessment (VoH). Inter- and intra-rater reliability were tested. ANOVA models with repeated measures were used for statistical analysis (⍺ = .05).

Results: All three image acquisition techniques were able to distinguish masticatory performance between different dental states. For SA, inter-rater reliability was fair to substantial and intra-rater reliability was substantial to almost perfect. For VoH, inter-rater reliability with the smartphones was at times different between two examiners, but the intra-rater assessment was reliable. The opto-electronic analysis with smartphone images underestimated the masticatory performance significantly when compared to the flatbed scanner analysis. Seven-day ageing of the specimens did not significantly affect the results.

Conclusions: The assessment of masticatory performance with the Hue-Check Gum© is a reliable method. The use of smartphones may occasionally underestimate masticatory performance; image acquisition with a flatbed scanner remains the gold standard. A centralised analysis of the photographed wafer may foster the reliability of the diagnosis.

Keywords: ViewGum; colour-mixing ability; hue-check gum; masticatory performance; smartphone.

MeSH terms

Chewing Gum*
Color
Humans
Mastication
Reproducibility of Results
Smartphone*

Substances

Chewing Gum