Comparative value of attachment measurements in implant dentistry.
OBJECTIVE
In implant dentistry, the level of bone attachment is normally assessed by clinical and radiologic parameters. In the literature, however, the accuracy of these measurements has been a source of controversy. The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability of attachment measurements in the beagle dog model.


METHODS
In 6 beagle dogs, a total of 60 implants were placed. Bony defects resulting from plaque accumulation were treated surgically. All defects were evaluated at the time of surgery (T3) and 4 months later (T4). Evaluation included standardized measurements on radiographs, pressure-forced implant probing, and histometry. Furthermore, both conventional and digital radiographic techniques were used.


RESULTS
Both radiographic techniques showed very similar results at T3 and T4. At time T4, pressure-forced probing revealed statistically significantly different values than those obtained with radiography and histometry. When radiographic and histometric measurements were compared, no significant differences were found at either time T3 or time T4.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, histometry showed better accordance with radiography than with pressure-forced probing. These results support the hypothesis that peri-implant attachment should be evaluated with a combination of both clinical and radiologic parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
The exclusive use of radiography cannot be recommended for the measurement of peri-implant attachment.
Deppe
Herbert
H
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Technology, Munich, Germany. herbert.deppe@lrz.tu-muenchen.de
Wagenpfeil
Stefan
S
Donath
Karl
K
D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D000818:Animals; D015921:Dental Implants; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000150:complications; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D017622:Periodontal Attachment Loss / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D010517:Periodontics / Q000295:instrumentation; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D019252:Radiography, Dental, Digital; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013499:Surface Properties; D013997:Time Factors
D015921:Dental Implants