Objectives: Aim of this clinical study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the DetecTar®-System regarding a complete detection of all calculus on subgingival tooth surfaces. Methods: Four surfaces of 44 periodontal not preservable teeth (n=176) of 8 patients were randomized into two groups. In group 1 (n=96), all four subgingival surfaces of each tooth were examined with the DetecTar®-System before their extraction. After extraction, a manual and visual control (KO) as well as a microscopical visualization (Zeiss Stemi 2000®, CCD-Camera, Matrox-Inspector® software) of the examined surfaces followed. The procedure for group 2 (n=80) was the same as for group 1. However, a manual curettage of each tooth with positive diagnostic findings was done before the extraction until the DetecTar®-System did not detect any left subgingival calculus. The microscopical acquired pictures were analyzed by two calibrated dentists (ZA1, ZA2) and a dental student (STUD) for the existence of subgingival calculus. Their results were compared with those of the system (DT) and the control (KO). Results: The statistical results (Kappa-Index of Cohen, McNemar-test) show a concordance of the DetecTar®-System of 67% compared with the control. The same comparison shows 9.1% false-positive and 1.7% false-negative values. ZA1 achieved a concordance of 69% compared with the control. 13.8% of all curettaged teeth in group 2 showed still concretions after extraction. Conclusion: The DetecTar®-System revealed a concordance compared to the control of only 67% and consequently did not reach the statistical minimum of 80%. A practical usage of this system is possible. However, further developments of the system and further studies should achieve an improved accuracy.

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