Clinical and radiographic evaluation of periimplant vertical defect dimensions

Aim: The aims of this study are to compare radiographic and clinical measurements of periimplant vertical defect dimensions to assess the accuracy of periapical radiography in detecting defect type and to evaluate the agreement between probing depth measurements with plastic and metal periodontal probe. Materials and Methods: 28 patients (14 female, 10 male) who were diagnosed as periimplantitis and having infrabony defects included in this study. Prior to surgery, probing depth was measured using both plastic and metal probes. Modified plaque and gingival scores and keratinized tissue dimensions were recorded. Periapical radiographs were obtained using parallel technique and a-10 mm wire. Intrasurgical periimplant defect dimensions were measured vertically and horizontally. Periimplant defects were classified during surgery moreover predicted on radiographic image. Bland- Altman analysis was used to detect differences between radiographic and intrasurgical defect dimensions. In addition Weigted Kappa analyse was used to determine the agreement of probing depth measurements performed with plastic and metal probes. Results: The mean difference between radiographic and intrasurgical defect measurements were 0,26 mm, horizontally and 0,23 mm , vertically being higher in the intrasurgical group. The strength of defect type agreement was moderate. The strength of probing depth measurements of periodontal probes agreement was good. Conclusions: The intraoperatively measured actual periimplant defect dimensions were higher than the radiographic defect dimensions. However, this difference was clinically negligible thus periapical radiography can be used to identify defects around implants. Both plastic and metal periodontal probes can be used around implants since their agreement in probing depth measurements were found to be good according to Kappa analysis. Key Words: Periimplant Defect, Periapical Radiography, Periimplantitis, Periodontal Probe