Accuracy of periodontal probing according to observers and types of periodontal probes

Abstract

Background: Periodontal probes are highly sensitive to determine the loss of clinical attachment and are used in periodontal diagnosis. One of the most critical factors when considering its use is the recognition of the position of the marks in the various models of probes, as they can in uence the recording of periodontal catheter measurements. Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of periodontal probing, according to three types of probes and observers. Methodology: wooden blocks were designed with perforations that simulated cavities to perform periodontal probing. Five evaluators participated who measured the perforations using three types of probes (World Health Organization-WHO, University of North Carolina-UNC and University of Michigan). The agreement of measurements, between observers, was made using averages and margins of error. The accuracy of the measurements of the probes was evaluated, according the average distances obtained with respect to the real values of the perforations. Results: The average of measurement with the WHO probe was of 64.12mm; with the UNC probe: 64.9mm and with the Michigan probe of 66.2mm, compared to the actual value that was 65.5mm. The margin of error for WHO, UNC and Michigan probes was 4.05mm; 2.89mm and 3.76mm, respectively. The interobserver concordance with the UNC probe was 99% with an accuracy of 60%. Conclusion: The periodontal probe with greater accuracy, with respect to the actual pattern, was the UNC probe, followed by the Michigan probe and, later, the WHO probe.

Keywords

• reproducibilidad de resultados
• periodoncia
• variaciones dependien- tes del observador
• exactitud de las medidas dimensionales