title: Radiographic features of periodontal bone defects: evaluation of digitized images.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Radiographic evaluation of periodontal conditions is a difficult process because of the many limitations inherent to this complementary examination and the lack of image specificity for different types of bone defects. The objectives of this study are to utilize digitized imaging resources to describe the radiographic features of different types of periodontal bone defects produced artificially in dry mandibles.
  
  
  METHODS
  14 dry mandibles were utilized, in which periodontal bone defects were produced. Digital photographs and conventional radiographs of each site were obtained in a standardized manner, before and after producing these defects. The radiographs were then digitized, displayed on the screen and evaluated by three examiners.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most of the bone defects presented distinct imaging characteristics that allowed them to be identified, with the exception of one-, two- and three-wall infrabony defects. The defects that were most easily interpreted were horizontal and vertical defects and the most difficult were defects in the radicular septum.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the importance of imaging diagnoses in reaching clinical decisions regarding treatment, such diagnoses for different types of periodontal bone defects are extremely difficult to make. In the present study, the utilization of digital tools for interpreting digitized radiographic images facilitated the process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, Feira de Santana State University, Bahia, Brazil. isuzart@gmail.com
authors.forename: I S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Gomes-Filho
authors.forename: V A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Sarmento
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: de Castro
authors.forename: N P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: da Costa
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: da Cruz
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Trindade
authors.forename: C O T
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: de Freitas
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de Santana Passos
mesh_terms: D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002102:Cadaver; D006801:Humans; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015588:Observer Variation; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D019252:Radiography, Dental, Digital