Clinical application of a VSCs monitor for oral malodour assessment.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate a volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) monitor's ability to assess oral malodour in patients with and without periodontal disease in comparison with the assessment by gas chromatography (GC) or organoleptic testing.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Ninety-nine patients' mouth air was measured by GC, a VSCs monitor (Breathtron) and organoleptic test. Patients who had a periodontal pocket depth of 4 mm and more for at least two tooth surfaces were assigned to the periodontal disease group.

RESULTS

Total VSCs value by the Breathtron was higher in periodontal disease group than that in non-periodontal disease group, and it showed statistically significant correlations with specific VSCs gases from GC and with the organoleptic measurement. The Breathtron had high sensitivity in both groups.

CONCLUSION

The Breathtron can be a reliable instrument for the diagnosis of halitosis. However, the Breathtron should be used properly for measuring VSCs that are related to periodontal disease.