Archive | 2021
Periodontal Measurement on Digital Images Reveals Risk of Overestimation in Clinical Periodontal Probing in Periodontitis Patients
Abstract
\n Aim: To compare the supra-alveolar gingival dimension (GD) and the clinical pocket probing depth (PD) by combining data from an intraoral scanner (IOS) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), and identify the clinical features affecting the clinical PD.Materials and Methods: 1,071 sites from 11 patients were selected for whom CBCT, IOS images, and periodontal charts were recorded at the same visit. CBCT and IOS data were superimposed. GD was measured on cross-sectional images of the probed sites. The level of agreement and correlation between GD and PD were assessed for the entire population and also within groups (treated vs untreated, bleeding on probing [BOP] vs no BOP, and PDs of 0–3 mm vs 4–5 mm vs ≥6 mm).Results: The difference between GD and PD was 0.82±0.69 mm (mean±standard deviation), and they were positively correlated (r=0.790, p<0.001). The mean difference was smaller for sites with PD ≥4 mm than for those with a PD of 0–3 mm. The correlations between GD and PD were stronger for untreated sites, sites with BOP, and sites with a larger PD.Conclusion: The pocket PD is prone to overestimation. The digital representation of the supra-alveolar GD is similar to the PD.