Evaluation of digital colorimetric analysis as an objective indicator representing microbial diversity and biological succession of dental plaque

Background: Visual assessment of dental plaque is limited by subjectivity and variability in imaging conditions. Objective: ) and evaluate its association with microbial community structure and pathogenicity. Design: sites were collected, and full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed using the PacBio Sequel IIe platform. Results: group. Conclusions: -based colorimetric analysis may serve as an objective indicator of dental plaque maturation and pathogenic potential, supporting personalized oral hygiene feedback.