Oral health-related quality of life following peri-implantitis surgery: A prospective study.

AIM: The aim of this prospective study was to describe long-term patient-reported outcomes following surgical treatment of peri-implantitis. METHODS: Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of 43 patients diagnosed with peri-implantitis was recorded using the short form of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14), where low scores indicate low impact. A Norwegian version of the OHIP-14 form was filled out 1 week before and 6-, 18- and 36 months after the peri-implant surgery. The mean and median OHIP-14 scores were calculated for its seven domains (i.e., Functional limitation, Physical pain, Psychological discomfort, Physical disability, Psychological disability, Social disability, and Handicap) across four different time points. The dataset was analyzed to find correlations between independent variables and the OHIP-scores. RESULTS: The OHIP-14 scores were at a low level from baseline to 36 months post-surgery. The mean scores at specific time points were at baseline 7.2 (SD 7.3), 6 months post-surgery 6.0 (SD 6.9), 18 months post-surgery 6.8 (SD 9.7), and 3 years post-surgery 7.0 (SD 9.4). None of these changes were statistically significant. Specific domains of OHRQoL did not significantly differ across different time points (pre- and post-surgery) in males (except for domain "Handicap") or females (except for domain "Functional limitation"). CONCLUSIONS: The reported OHIP-14 measures were initially low and stayed low up to 3 years after peri-implant surgery. This may indicate that neither the disease nor the treatment deteriorated or improved the OHRQoL.

Development and initial testing of an in vitro model simulating class II furcation defects.

OBJECTIVE: To compare surface topography of porcine and human root dentin and to develop a new in vitro model for class II furcation defects. The hypothesis for this study was that porcine mandible blocks can function as a model for class II furcation defects. BACKGROUND: Treatment of mandibular class II furcation defects is unpredictable. There is a need for in vitro models to investigate new treatment methods. METHODS: A model to investigate the surface topography of porcine and human root dentin was developed and the two tissues compared by SEM imaging and profilometer. A novel method for studying class II furcation defects was then tested. Blocks of porcine mandibles with molar 3 were prepared. Buccal class II furcation defects were created. The furcation area was isolated and bioluminescent Staphylococcus epidermidis Xen43 was used to form a biofilm in the furcation area to test the functionality of the novel furcation model. RESULTS: Micromechanical damage caused by debridement on porcine and human root dentin showed similar pattern. No significant difference in the surface morphological parameters was observed between the corresponding porcine and human samples. The model allowed for assessment of the root surface inside the furcation area. While the number of viable bacteria in the furcation following debridement could be quantified, no significant difference between the treatment groups was detected, likely due to bacterial colonization within the periodontal ligament space. CONCLUSION: Porcine and human root dentin show similar surface topography following surface debridement. Porcine mandible blocks can function as a model for class II furcation defects. However, further development and refinement of the novel in vitro model is warranted.

Comparison of commercially available 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash with and without anti-discoloration system: A blinded, crossover clinical trial.

AIM: To evaluate clinical performance and side effects of two commercially available 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwashes after periodontal surgery, one with (test) and one without (control) an anti-discoloration system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-centre, crossover clinical trial included 38 patients undergoing two sessions of periodontal flap surgery. The participants used two different 0.2% chlorhexidine products, one with and one without an anti-discoloration system, in the 14-day post-operative periods. Plaque, gingival inflammation, tooth staining, side effects and patient preference were evaluated. RESULTS: The control mouthwash (without an anti-discolouring system) produced significantly lower plaque (p = 0.02) and gingival index (p = 0.01) compared to the test mouthwash. The test mouthwash produced significantly less staining in the gingival (p = 0.002) and approximal areas (p = 0.0004), but no difference was detected in the buccal area of the teeth. The patients did not show preference for any of the mouthwashes. CONCLUSION: Chlorhexidine mouthwash without an anti-discoloration system resulted in significantly lowered plaque and gingival index compared to chlorhexidine mouthwash with an anti-discoloration following periodontal surgery. No difference in patient preference was found despite less side effects produced by the chlorhexidine mouthwash with the anti-discoloration system.

Supportive treatment following peri-implantitis surgery: An RCT using titanium curettes or chitosan brushes.

AIMS: The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to assess the effect of two maintenance programmes when treatments were performed every third month from six to 18 months following surgical treatment of peri-implantitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: At the 6-month post-surgical evaluation, 44 subjects were randomized into groups receiving supportive peri-implant treatment either by the use of titanium curettes or chitosan brushes at implants registered with BoP and PPD >3 mm. Follow-up examinations and supportive therapy were performed 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 months post-surgically. Clinical and radiographic assessments were made. RESULTS: The percentage of implants registered with inflammation was high at the 6-month baseline examination (>80% bleeding on probing in both test and control group) and remained high throughout the observation period. Similar observations were made for all clinical parameters, and no significant difference was found between test and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, no statistical significant difference was found when supportive peri-implant treatment was performed with either titanium curettes or chitosan brushes. Within the limits of the study, the results might indicate the need of more effective submucosal cleaning procedures following peri-implant surgery.

Pain and morbidity after non-surgical and surgical treatment of peri-implantitis.

Objective: Not much information exists on post-treatment pain related to peri-implantitis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate intensity and quality of pain after non-surgical and surgical treatment of peri-implantitis. Material and methods: A total of 30 patients with a diagnosis of peri-implantitis were included in the study. The patients registered pain using a VAS scale after non-surgical and surgical treatment of peri-implantitis. The data were registered for one week after each treatment. The patients also recorded quality of pain and if analgesics were taken. Factors included in the study were number of implants, severity of peri-implantitis (millimetre bone loss at most severely affected implant), implant localization, smoking and gender. Results: Statistically significant difference in intensity of pain was found between day zero and day one for both non-surgical and surgical treatment of peri-implantitis (p < .05). Number of implants, severity of peri-implantitis, implant localization, smoking and gender were not statistically significant related to intensity of pain post-treatment. The most frequently reported quality of pain was throbbing/soreness and numbness for both non-surgical and surgical treatment. Conclusion: Levels of pain are found to be low to moderate for most patients after treatment of peri-implantitis. The pain was most pronounced on the first two days post-treatment. Throbbing/soreness and numbness were the most frequently reported quality of pain.

The plaque and gingivitis inhibiting capacity of a commercially available mouthwash containing essential oils and ethyl lauroyl arginate. A randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: A commercially available mouth rinse with ethyl lauroyl arginate and essential oils claims to have better antimicrobial properties than the traditional essential oil products. The aim of this study was to compare the plaque and gingivitis inhibiting effect of the commercial product containing essential oils with ethyl lauroyl arginate with one placebo and one negative control in a modified experimental gingivitis model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In three groups of healthy volunteers, experimental gingivitis was induced and monitored over 21 d, simultaneously treated with the commercial test solution, 21.6% hydro-alcohol solution and sterile water, respectively. The maxillary right quadrant of each individual received mouthwash only, whereas the maxillary left quadrant was subject to both rinsing and mechanical oral hygiene. Compliance and side effects were monitored at d 7, 14, and 21. Plaque and gingivitis scores were obtained at baseline and d 21. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Although the commercial product containing essential oils with ethyl lauroyl arginate performed statistically significantly better regarding average plaque scores on all surfaces combined than the placebo (p = .018) and negative control (p = .003) when no mechanical tooth cleaning was performed, the product still left the patient with enough plaque to cause gingivitis and thus seemed of questionable clinical benefit to the patient. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier is NCT02884817.

Porous titanium granules in the treatment of peri-implant osseous defects-a 7-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: A great number of different treatment protocols for peri-implantitis have been suggested but there is no consensus regarding the most effective intervention. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the long-term clinical and radiographic results from a study on peri-implant osseous defect reconstruction. Patients having participated in a randomized clinical study 7 years earlier were invited for a re-examination. The treatment procedures included open flap debridement (OFD) with or without defect reconstruction with porous titanium granules (PTGs). Clinical parameters (probing pocket depth and bleeding on probing) and radiographic measurements were registered. FINDINGS: Of the original 32 patients, 12 patients with 12 implants were finally examined after 7 years (7.3 years [6.7-8]). Patients had been maintained one to two times yearly. The PTG group showed a mean probing pocket depth of 4.3 mm ± 2.4 compared with 3.5 mm ± 1.2 in the OFD group, at the deepest site. The change between the 12 months and the 7-year examination was similar in both groups. Five of the test implants and five of the control implants had at least one site with positive bleeding on probing score. The mean radiographic defect depth change as compared to 12 months was an increase of 1.9 mm ± 2.0 in the PTG group and a mean radiographic defect depth increase of 1.3 mm ± 1.4 in the OFD group. Due to the small number of patients, a statistical analysis was not performed, but the results indicated a minimal difference in osseous defect depth as compared with baseline and between groups. No PTG exposed to the oral cavity was observed, but the graft particles were seemingly scattered in the peri-implant soft tissue. CONCLUSIONS: This long-term follow-up of surgical treatment of peri-implant osseous defects showed unpredictable results.

Comparing the effect of 0.06% -, 0.12% and 0.2% Chlorhexidine on plaque, bleeding and side effects in an experimental gingivitis model: a parallel group, double masked randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Chlorhexidine is the gold standard of dental plaque prevention. The aim of the present study was to compare the plaque and gingivitis inhibiting effect of commercial products containing 0.2%, 0.12% and 0.06% chlorhexidine in a modified experimental gingivitis model. METHODS: In three groups of healthy volunteers, experimental gingivitis was induced and monitored over 21 days and simultaneously treated with the commercial solutions containing 0.2%, 0.12% and 0.06% chlorhexidine. The maxillary right quadrant of each individual received mouthwash only, whereas the maxillary left quadrant was subject to both rinsing and mechanical oral hygiene. Compliance and side effects were monitored at days 7, 14, and 21. Plaque and gingivitis scores were obtained at baseline and day 21. RESULTS: The commercial mouthwash containing 0.2% chlorhexidine resulted in statistically significantly lower plaque scores than the 0.12 and 0.06% mouthwashes after 21 days use, whereas no statistically significant difference was found between the effects of the two latter. CONCLUSION: A commercially available mouthwash containing 0.2% chlorhexidine had statistically significant better effect in preventing dental plaque than the 0.12% and 0.06% solutions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02911766 . Registration date: September 9th 2016.

A new digital tool for radiographic bone level measurements in longitudinal studies.

BACKGROUND: The reproducibility of measurements on radiographs is influenced by the techniques by which the images as well as the measurements are obtained. Thus, bias resulting from errors in the image and/or image examinations at two points in time may result in wrongful registrations of true biological or pathological changes. The aim of the present study was to propose and evaluate an indirect radiological examination technique, by which bias, when measuring radiographic bone level, could be substantially reduced as compared to the technique using direct mm measurements. METHODS: A plugin to ImageJ was designed to reduce bias when measuring bone loss on radiographic images. In human dry mandibles, radiographic images of 20 teeth were obtained parallel with the tooth axis (alpha = 0) and at an angle of 30° deviation. The direct technique of measuring radiographic bone level (RBL) and the indirect, length-adjusted RBL were registered by four researchers in a double blinded fashion. RESULTS: When mean RBL measured at 0° angle was 7.0 mm, the corresponding mean RBL measured at 30° angle was 7.8 mm, signifying an 11.4% increase (p = 0.032), whereas the mean length-adjusted RBL increased by 0.6% (p = 0.9). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the use of the original, direct technique (ImageJ) resulted in markedly biased radiographic bone level at 30° angle, while the proposed indirect length-adjusted technique (ImageJ plugin) did not.

Primary prevention of peri-implantitis: managing peri-implant mucositis.

AIMS: Over the past decades, the placement of dental implants has become a routine procedure in the oral rehabilitation of fully and partially edentulous patients. However, the number of patients/implants affected by peri-implant diseases is increasing. As there are--in contrast to periodontitis--at present no established and predictable concepts for the treatment of peri-implantitis, primary prevention is of key importance. The management of peri-implant mucositis is considered as a preventive measure for the onset of peri-implantitis. Therefore, the remit of this working group was to assess the prevalence of peri-implant diseases, as well as risks for peri-implant mucositis and to evaluate measures for the management of peri-implant mucositis. METHODS: Discussions were informed by four systematic reviews on the current epidemiology of peri-implant diseases, on potential risks contributing to the development of peri-implant mucositis, and on the effect of patient and of professionally administered measures to manage peri-implant mucositis. This consensus report is based on the outcomes of these systematic reviews and on the expert opinion of the participants. RESULTS: Key findings included: (i) meta-analysis estimated a weighted mean prevalence for peri-implant mucositis of 43% (CI: 32-54%) and for peri-implantitis of 22% (CI: 14-30%); (ii) bleeding on probing is considered as key clinical measure to distinguish between peri-implant health and disease; (iii) lack of regular supportive therapy in patients with peri-implant mucositis was associated with increased risk for onset of peri-implantitis; (iv) whereas plaque accumulation has been established as aetiological factor, smoking was identified as modifiable patient-related and excess cement as local risk indicator for the development of peri-implant mucositis; (v) patient-administered mechanical plaque control (with manual or powered toothbrushes) has been shown to be an effective preventive measure; (vi) professional intervention comprising oral hygiene instructions and mechanical debridement revealed a reduction in clinical signs of inflammation; (vii) adjunctive measures (antiseptics, local and systemic antibiotics, air-abrasive devices) were not found to improve the efficacy of professionally administered plaque removal in reducing clinical signs of inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Consensus was reached on recommendations for patients with dental implants and oral health care professionals with regard to the efficacy of measures to manage peri-implant mucositis. It was particularly emphasized that implant placement and prosthetic reconstructions need to allow proper personal cleaning, diagnosis by probing and professional plaque removal.

The plaque- and gingivitis-inhibiting capacity of a commercially available essential oil product. A parallel, split-mouth, single blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study.

BACKGROUND: Studies have reported commercially available essential oils with convincing plaque and gingivitis preventing properties. However, no tests have compared these essential oils, i.e. Listerine(®), against their true vehicle controls. OBJECTIVE: To compare the plaque and gingivitis inhibiting effect of a commercially-available essential oil (Listerine(®) Total Care) to a negative (22% hydro-alcohol solution) and a positive (0.2% chlorhexidine (CHX)) control in an experimental gingivitis model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In three groups of 15 healthy volunteers, experimental gingivitis was induced and monitored over 21 days, simultaneously treated with Listerine(®) Total Care (test), 22% hydro-alcohol solution (negative control) and 0.2% chlorhexidine solution (positive control), respectively. The upper right quadrant of each individual received mouthwash only, whereas the upper left quadrant was subject to both rinses and mechanical oral hygiene. Plaque, gingivitis and side-effects were assessed at day 7, 14 and 21. RESULTS: After 21 days, the chlorhexidine group showed significantly lower average plaque and gingivitis scores than the Listerine(®) and alcohol groups, whereas there was little difference between the two latter. CONCLUSION: Listerine(®) Total Care had no statistically significant effect on plaque formation as compared to its vehicle control.

Porous titanium granules in the surgical treatment of peri-implant osseous defects: a randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: Porous titanium granules (PTG) may have potential as an osteoconductive bone graft substitute to treat peri-implant osseous defects. The aim of this study was to analyze clinical and radiographic outcomes of peri-implant osseous defects after treatment with PTG. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective, randomized, case-control, clinical 12-month study compared open-flap debridement and surface decontamination with titanium curettes and 24% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid gel (n = 16) to the same protocol but with the addition of PTG (n = 16). One-, two-, and three-wall infrabony defects were included. Patients were given amoxicillin and metronidazole 3 days before surgery and for 7 days afterwards. Implants were submerged and allowed to heal for 6 months. Probing pocket depths, bleeding on probing, implant stability using resonance frequency analysis, and radiographic evaluation were performed at baseline and at 12 months. The threshold for significance was set at .05. RESULTS: Change in radiographic defect height and percent fill of the peri-implant osseous defect significantly favored patients treated with PTG. Both treatment modalities demonstrated significant improvements in probing pocket depth, but significant differences between groups were not observed. The PTG-treated implants showed an increase in implant stability quotient (ISQ) of 1.6 units, compared with a decrease of 0.7 ISQ for the control group. No adverse effects were associated with PTG treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Reconstruction with PTG resulted in significantly better radiographic peri-implant defect fill compared with controls; however, the results do not necessarily imply reosseointegration or osseointegration of PTG particles. Improvements in clinical parameters were seen in both groups, but no differences between groups were demonstrated.

Porous titanium granules in the treatment of mandibular Class II furcation defects: a consecutive case series.

BACKGROUND: The osteoconductive potential of titanium is interesting from the perspective of periodontal surgery and reconstitution of osseous defects. The aim of the present consecutive case series is to evaluate a surgical strategy based on the use of porous titanium granules (PTG) in the treatment of Class II buccal furcation defects in mandibular molars in humans. METHODS: Surgical intervention with PTG used as a bone graft substitute was performed in 10 patients with 10 mandibular Class II buccal furcation defects. Clinical parameters (probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), gingival recession (GR), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), and horizontal and vertical bone sounding) and radiographic measurements of vertical furcation height were compared among baseline (presurgery), 6, and 12 months (post-surgery). The significance level (α) was set at 0.05. RESULTS: With respect to vertical and horizontal bone sounding measurements, CAL, and GR, no significant improvements between baseline and the 12-month examination were seen. Both PD and radiographic vertical furcation height were significantly reduced between baseline and 12 months. When comparing the baseline to 12-month data, a significantly lower GI score was seen but the BOP score was unchanged. None of the treated teeth showed radiographic signs of root resorption. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that PTG is safe to use in close proximity to root surfaces, but no significant improvements in clinical endpoints of defect resolution were observed.

Micro CT and human histological analysis of a peri-implant osseous defect grafted with porous titanium granules: a case report.

Treatment of peri-implant osseous defects represents a significant challenge for clinicians, and the need to evolve within predictable surgical procedures is important. This case report describes the surgical treatment and grafting with porous titanium granules (PTG) of one patient with a peri-implant osseous defect. The suggested thrombogenic properties of titanium are intriguing from the perspective of osseous reconstructive surgery. In an ongoing randomized clinical trial using PTG for treatment of peri-implant osseous defects, one patient with one test implant was excluded and scheduled for implant removal. The surgical therapy included open flap debridement with surface decontamination with 24% EDTA gel, grafting with PTG, and resubmersion of the implant. After 12 months of healing, the implant with surrounding tissues was excised en bloc and micro CT and histological analyses were performed. Analyses showed PTG in close contact with new bone and with bone growing both into the porosities of the graft material and onto the adjacent implant surface. Element analysis demonstrated calcium and phosphorus in the new tissue embedding the PTG and the implant. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants 2011;26:e9-e14.

The association between selected risk indicators and severity of peri-implantitis using mixed model analyses.

AIM: The aim of the study was to assess possible risk indicators for peri-implantitis at different levels of severity using multi-level analyses. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and nine subjects attended the examination, 69 females and 40 males. Mean time of implants in function was 8.4 years (standard deviation 4.6) (subject level). The participants were examined clinically and radiographically. Information regarding general health and habits was gathered, with special emphasis on smoking, oral hygiene and susceptibility to periodontitis. The relation between possible risk indicators and the following features were assessed: • Detectable peri-implantitis: detectable radiographic bone loss (>0.4 mm) and inflammation • Overt peri-implantitis: radiographic peri-implant bone loss 2.0 mm and bleeding on probing /suppuration at pocket probing depth 4 mm. RESULTS: Multi-level statistical analyses identified location in the maxilla as risk indicator for detectable peri-implantitis. Regarding overt peri-implantitis, gender (male) and history of periodontitis were identified as risk indicators. CONCLUSION: Individuals with a history of periodontitis were prone to peri-implantitis, peri-implant bone loss ≥ 2.0 mm and overt in the present study. No association was found between smoking and peri-implant disease in the present study population.

Prevalence of peri-implantitis related to severity of the disease with different degrees of bone loss.

BACKGROUND: Several measurements are combined to diagnose peri-implant disease, and different thresholds are used to describe the disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of peri-implant disease and to apply different diagnostic thresholds to assess its prevalence in relation to severities of peri-implantitis with different degrees of bone loss. METHODS: A total of 164 subjects with dental implants inserted at the Institute of Clinical Odontology, University of Oslo, between 1990 and 2005, were invited to join the project, and 109 subjects attended the examination (mean age: 43.8 years; range: 18 to 80 years). The mean functional loading time was 8.4 years (SD: 4.6 years). The participants were examined clinically and radiographically. The following aspects of disease were assessed to describe the peri-implant condition: detectable radiographic peri-implant bone loss and inflammation, the presence of bleeding on probing at a probing depth >or=4 or >or=6 mm, and radiographic peri-implant bone loss assessed at >or=2.0 and >or=3.0 mm. RESULTS: Assessing peri-implantitis at different levels of severity yielded a substantial variance in prevalence (11.3% to 47.1%) in the present study population. CONCLUSION: Peri-implant inflammation was a frequent finding with and without peri-implant bone loss.

Porous titanium granules promote bone healing and growth in rabbit tibia peri-implant osseous defects.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the osteoconductive properties and biological performance of porous titanium granules used in osseous defects adjacent to titanium implants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this animal experimental study, calibrated defects were prepared in the tibias of 24 New Zealand rabbits. The defects were randomized into two tests and one control group. The test defects were grafted with either metallic or oxidized porous titanium granules (PTG or WPTG, respectively), whereas control defects were left empty (sham). The defects were closed with a submerged coin shaped titanium implant. Defects were left for healing for 4 weeks. After healing, the implants were removed and the new bone tissue formed onto the implant surface was analyzed for run x 2, osteocalcin, collagen-I, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, H(+)-ATPase, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 gene expression using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Wound fluid from the healed defects was analyzed for lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase activity. Finally osteoconductivity was analyzed by micro-computed tomography and histology. RESULTS: Significantly more new bone formed in PTG and WPTG grafted defects compared with sham. The new bone grew both through the porosities of the granules and onto the implant surfaces. The WPTG group showed significantly less expression of key inflammation markers, but with no significant difference in a marker for necrosis. The WPTG also showed a significant increase in collagen-I mRNA expression compared with PTG. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that PTG and WPTG are both osteoconductive materials that can be used to promote bone formation in osseous defects adjacent to titanium implants without hampering implant osseointegration.

Prevalence of implant loss and the influence of associated factors.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to assess the outcome of dental implants inserted at the Institute of Clinical Odontology, University of Oslo, between 1990 and 2005. The prevalence of implant loss and the factors associated with the outcome were studied. METHODS: A total of 164 subjects were invited to participate in this cross-sectional project, of whom 55 were unable, leaving 109 volunteers available for examination. The study population included 69 females and 40 males with a mean age of 43.8 years at the time of implant insertion (range, 18 to 80 years). At the subject level, the mean time from implant loading to the present examination was 8.4 years (range, 1.1 to 16.0 years). The participants were examined clinically and radiographically and interviewed regarding general health and habits. RESULTS: The 109 examined subjects had been treated with 374 implants. Eighteen implants (4.8%) were lost in 10 subjects (9.2%). Eleven implants were lost before loading, three were lost during the first 5 years after loading, and four were lost 5 to 10 years after loading. No implants were lost after >10 years of loading. The loss of oral implants was significantly associated with a history of smoking and periodontitis (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The inserted implants showed a high survival rate, especially after the first year of insertion, even though the subjects were not maintained by specialists. All late implant losses were preceded by an early loss. Implant loss was significantly associated with smoking and periodontitis.

Comparison of the reproducibility of storage phosphor and film bitewings for assessment of alveolar bone loss.

OBJECTIVE: To compare bitewing storage phosphor images and a digital measuring method with bitewing films and an analog measuring method with regard to the reproducibility of measurements of alveolar bone loss. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Nine participants randomly selected from an epidemiological study were radiographically examined using two modalities: bitewing SP images and bitewing films. A digital measuring method was used on the bitewing SP images and an analog measuring method on the bitewing films. Alveolar bone loss was measured at 12 index sites in the premolar/molar region per participant and modality. One hundred measured sites on each modality were assessed twice by three observers. Paired t-test values and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) were computed. RESULTS: Comparison of the mean absolute difference of alveolar bone loss between the digital and analog measuring methods demonstrated comparable results (p=0.53). The absolute difference in millimetres between 1st and 2nd measurements was comparable for two observers and statistically different for one. Intra-observer performance between 1st and 2nd measurements was comparable for the digital (ICC=0.85) and analog (ICC=0.83) measuring methods. Inter-observer agreement for the digital measurements was higher (ICC=0.79) than for the analog measurements (ICC=0.64). CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates that digital and analog measuring methods are comparable with regard to absolute alveolar bone measurements and intra-observer agreement. Inter-observer comparison demonstrated significantly higher agreement for the digital measurements. Based on the overall results, the modalities with the measuring methods utilized are comparable when measuring minor alveolar bone loss.