Periodontal probing in comparison to diagnosis by CT-Scan

Aim: To compare clinical periodontal probing and the corresponding CT-evalu ation of the loss of bone. Method: 639 measurement sites were studied on 95 periodontal sites. The measured length was the distance between the cement o-enamel junction (CEJ) and the pocket base on probing and the bone base of the pocket on the CT-analysis. Additionally, a comparison of the diagnosti c potential of both methods regarding the furcation involvement was made. R esults: Clinical probing depths showed a mean value of 2.6 +/- 2.0mm, while the CT-measurements exhibited a figure of 4.2 +/- 2.3mm. In 49.5% of the m easured sites, the difference between clinical and CT-measurement was 2mm o r higher. The greatest differences between the measured values were found o n the buccal and lingual sites (P=0.0004). The narrower the vertical bone d efects in the CT (angle in coronal direction), the greater were the differe nces between the clinical probing depths and the measurements carried out o n the CT (P=0.02). Clinically, in 31% of the cases the furcation involvemen t was underestimated or not identified at all. Conclusion: Computed tomogra phy imaging techniques could be beneficial in the field of periodontal diag nosis. The results underscore the higher accuracy of the CT-technique, comp ared with clinical probing, while assessing periodontal breakdown and its m arked superiority in the diagnosis of furcation areas, compared to the clin ical examinations performed.