A novel method for evaluating periodontal recession: a feasibility study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether a three-dimensional (3D) optical method currently used for the production of dental restorations could be applied to the simultaneous evaluation of the height and width of periodontal recessions, and determine the reproducibility and accuracy of the method for evaluating periodontal recession.


METHODS
The height and width of periodontal recessions scratched onto stone replicas were recorded using a 3D optical method, a periodontal probe, and a caliper.


RESULTS
No difference was found between measurements obtained using the methods tested (p > 0.05). However, measurements using the 3D optical method showed the highest reproducibility.


CONCLUSIONS
The 3D optical method allowed the accurate and reproducible evaluation of the height and width of periodontal recessions. The next step should be the development of fully automated soft-tissue monitoring software to increase time savings.
Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany. karl.lehmann@unimedizin-mainz.de
Karl M
KM
Lehmann
Adrian
A
Kasaj
Armin
A
Ross
Ines
I
Willershausen
Irene
I
Schmidtmann
Henning
H
Staedt
Herbert
H
Scheller
D017076:Computer-Aided Design / Q000592:standards; D004581:Electronics / Q000295:instrumentation; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005889:Gingival Recession / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D007834:Lasers; D003765:Models, Dental; D055096:Optical Devices / Q000592:standards; D010517:Periodontics / Q000295:instrumentation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012984:Software