A digital tongue imaging system for tongue coating evaluation in patients with oral malodour

  1. J Kim1,
  2. Y Jung1,
  3. K Park2,
  4. J-W Park3

Article first published online: 25 JUN 2009

DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-0825.2009.01592.x

Issue

Oral Diseases

Oral Diseases

Volume 15, Issue 8, pages 565–569, November 2009

Additional Information

How to Cite

Kim, J., Jung, Y., Park, K. and Park, J.-W. (2009), A digital tongue imaging system for tongue coating evaluation in patients with oral malodour. Oral Diseases, 15: 565–569. doi: 10.1111/j.1601-0825.2009.01592.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Gastroenterology & Halitosis Clinic, Hospital of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea

  2. 2

    Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Electronics and Information, Kyung Hee University, Youngin, Kyunggi-do, Korea

  3. 3

    Department of Internal Medicine, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University and Clinic of Gastrointestinal diseases & Halitosis, Oriental Hospital, Kyung Hee East-West Neo-Medical Center, Seoul, Korea

*Jae-Woo Park, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University and Clinic of Gastrointestinal diseases & Halitosis, Oriental Hospital, Kyung Hee East-West Neo-Medical Center, 149 Sangil-dong, Gangdong-gu, 134-727 Seoul, Korea. Tel: +82 2 440 6219, Fax: +82 2 440 6295, E-mail: pjw2907@khu.ac.kr

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 7 OCT 2009
  2. Article first published online: 25 JUN 2009
  3. Received 7 May 2009; revised 20 May 2009; accepted 25 May 2009

SEARCH

SEARCH BY CITATION

ARTICLE TOOLS

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (397K)

Keywords:

  • digital tongue imaging system;
  • tongue coating;
  • tongue coating index

Objective:  Several simple visual methods have been developed for assessing tongue coating, but it is difficult to eliminate biases associated with these. The digital tongue imaging system (DTIS) was designed to acquire tongue surface images using a digital camera under controlled conditions, and to calculate tongue coating area. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of DTIS for clinical use by comparing it with the Winkel tongue coating index (WTCI).

Materials and Methods:  Forty participants with oral malodour were rated on WTCI by two independent examiners, and photographs of their tongues were assessed using the DTIS. The photographs were also rated by the examiners (blinded to in vivo WTCI and DTIS statuses).

Results:  Agreements between in vivo WTCI ratings and DTIS assessments were relatively high at r = 0.561 for one examiner and r = 0.736 for the other (P < 0.01), while agreements between the in vivo WTCI ratings and tongue photograph-based ratings were also high at r = 0.645 for one examiner and r = 0.742 (P < 0.01) for the other.

Conclusions:  Digital tongue imaging system was found to be highly reliable and as having potential clinical applications. However, the algorithm for determining in vivo tongue coating status requires improvement.

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (397K)