Usefulness of a new malodour-compound detection portable device in oral malodour diagnosis

Abstract

A new device (BB Checker®) able to detect malodour compounds has recently been made available. This retrospective analysis aimed at evaluating the usefulness of this device as adjunct tool for the diagnosis of oral malodour. Data from 100 consecutive volunteers with bad breath complaints attending their first consultation at a halitosis clinic were analysed. In addition to the standard protocol (organoleptic ratings from mouth and nose air, and from tongue coating when present; OralChroma™ and Halimeter® measurements from mouth air; and intra-oral examinations), oral, exhaled and nasal air samples were examined with the BB Checker®. We could not establish a correlation between the BB Checker® values and the organoleptic scores, or the sulfur-compound levels determined by the OralChroma™ or the Halimeter® (R < 0.3, p > 0.05). The overall sensitivity and specificity of the new device did not exceed the 50%. The correlations between the organoleptic scores and the OralChroma™ and the Halimeter® measurements were good and in line with previous reports (R between 0.56 and 0.73). Our results do not favour the use of the BB Checker® as adjunct tool in the diagnosis of oral malodour.