Assessment of Dental Pathologies Using Digital Tools

Digital technology is playing an increasingly important role in dentistry due to its ability to assist practitioners and enhance work efficiency.

Among digital tools, panoramic radiography (orthopantomogram) is currently the most widely used. It provides a comprehensive image of the jaws, highlighting internal structures in 2D. As in other fields, scientific advances have made it possible to go beyond two-dimensional representations and obtain 3D images.

The intraoral scanner, also known as an "optical impression camera," emerged in the mid-1980s. These devices use light to create a digital optical impression that reproduces the surface of external anatomical structures in 3D images. They improve dental practice by making impression-taking less uncomfortable for patients, saving clinical time, simplifying storage and archiving, and facilitating transmission to dental technicians when needed. This type of device is already well established in dental practices.

More recently, Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT), also known as digital volumetric tomography with a conical beam, has begun to develop. This 3D sectional imaging technique allows for the exploration of internal structures by adding an extra dimension.

Imaging examinations provide additional information that complements the findings of the visual clinical oral examination. Together, they help the practitioner establish a diagnosis and treatment plan. Currently, visual information must be recorded manually. Collecting this data represents a significant amount of information, and the success of treatment partly depends on its quality and completeness.

Given the high volume of consultations and the need for practitioners to optimize their time, it would be worthwhile to assess whether optical impressions could help systematically and quickly acquire some of this clinical data to improve patient care.

Similarly, the 3D data provided by CBCT enhances the accuracy of diagnostic information. It would also be useful to evaluate the actual added value of this examination.

The RESTODATA-NUM study follows on from the RESTODATA study, whose results provided recent insights into the oral health status and care needs of adult patients.

The objective of this study is to compare the performance of a standard real-life examination by a practitioner-combining clinical and radiographic assessments-with an examination based on imaging results obtained using digital tools, in terms of detecting dental conditions in a sample of adult patients undergoing an oral examination at one of the participating centers.

Information on the Type of Clinical Investigation:

This is an observational, descriptive, and multicenter study. Based on these characteristics, the study is initially classified by the principal investigator as a Category 3 research project under the Jardé Law (Article R1121-3 of the French Public Health Code, Decree No. 2006-477 of April 26, 2006). The digital tools used in this study (intraoral scanner, panoramic radiography, and cone beam computed tomography) are routinely employed in dental practices. Radiographs will only be performed when medically justified. There will be no deviation from standard patient care, and no additional procedures will be introduced.

Overview of the ReCOL Network and Participating Private Practices:

The ReCOL network is a French clinical research network in dentistry, inspired by a similar model in the United States. Its goal is to involve private dental practitioners in clinical studies. Established in 2018, ReCOL has already conducted several studies, many of which are available on its website: https://recol.fr. The network operates collaboratively, with research topics discussed within the association's executive board. The idea for the RESTODATA-NUM study emerged from one of these discussions.

A total of 36 dental surgeons, all equipped with the necessary tools for the study, responded positively to a call for participation sent via email to all ReCOL members. Some of these practitioners had previously participated in the RESTODATA study.

Study Procedure and Data Collection:

Each participant will attend a single study visit.

Eligibility will be assessed by the investigating dental surgeon. The study will be offered to all patients attending a participating center for an oral examination who meet the inclusion criteria.

An information letter will be provided to each patient. If no urgent care is required, patients may take up to seven days to consider participation and reschedule their appointment if desired. Upon agreement, the patient will sign a non-opposition form.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients who have read the information sheet and agreed to participate in the study
• Patients affiliated with a social security scheme
• Patients aged 18 years or older
• New patients to the practice or patients who have not visited the practice in the past six months

Exclusion criteria

• Patient who has expressed opposition to participating in the study
• Age < 18 years
• Individual under legal guardianship or curatorship
• Pregnant woman
• Patient currently undergoing orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances