The reliability of pocket probing around screw-type implants

Clin Oral Implants Res. 1991 Oct-Dec;2(4):186-92. doi: 10.1034/j.1600-0501.1991.020405.x.

Abstract

This study involved 108 patients (age 38-82 years) rehabilitated with overdentures in the lower jaw supported by 2 endosseous screw-shaped implants. At each follow-up visit, the clinical attachment level (PAL) around the implants was assessed with a Merrit-B probe or a constant force electronic probe, Peri-probe, and biannually parallel long-cone radiographs were taken to locate the marginal bone level. These data were used to examine the relationship between bone and attachment level estimations around implants. As a mean, bone level and PAL, for mesial and distal sites, was 0.67 and 0.61 for the Merrit-B probe, and 0.76 and 0.65, respectively for the Peri-probe. The highest correlations were obtained for sites with a healthy gingiva or in absence of intra-bony craters. Duplicate PAL registrations showed a standard deviation for the intra-examiner variability of 2.37 (Peri-probe) or 0.40 mm (Merrit-B probe) with more than 90% of the variation within 0.5 mm. The mean difference in PAL between Merrit-B probe or Peri-probe was 0.05 mm. It was concluded that the clinical attachment level determination is a reliable indicator for bone level around implants with a moderate healthy gingiva.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alveolar Bone Loss / diagnosis*
  • Alveolar Bone Loss / etiology
  • Dental Implants / adverse effects*
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • Humans
  • Linear Models
  • Middle Aged
  • Observer Variation
  • Periodontal Attachment Loss / diagnosis*
  • Periodontal Attachment Loss / etiology
  • Periodontal Pocket / diagnosis
  • Periodontal Pocket / etiology
  • Periodontics / instrumentation*
  • Periodontitis / diagnosis
  • Periodontitis / etiology
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Reproducibility of Results

Substances

  • Dental Implants