title: Comparison of diagnostic accuracy of conventional intraoral periapical and direct digital radiographs in detecting interdental bone loss.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease of the supporting tissues of the teeth caused by specific microorganisms, resulting in destruction of the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. Progressive loss of alveolar bone is the salient feature of periodontal disease. Accurate detection of periodontal disease with the use of radiographs helps in diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study aims to compare the efficacy of conventional intraoral periapical (IOPA) and direct digital radiographs (RVG) in detecting interdental alveolar bone loss using intrasurgical (IS) measurements as the gold standard.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty patients elected to undergo periodontal flap surgery with periodontitis computing to 60 interdental alveolar defects on mandibular first molars were considered. IOPA and RVG were captured using standardized techniques. Bone loss measurements in IOPA and RVG were compared to the IS measurements.
  
  
  METHODS
  Statistical analysis was carried out using student t test and ANOVA with the help of SPSS software and p-value <0.05 was considered as significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both IOPA and RVG underestimated the bone loss measurements when compared to IS measurements which was statistically significant (p<0.0001). Bone loss measurements in RVG were closer to IS measurements than IOPA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both the radiographic techniques IOPA and RVG underestimated bone loss by 1.5-2.5 mm. RVG was superior to IOPA for the detection of interdental bone loss due to reduced time and radiation exposure to obtain the same diagnostic information.
authors: Senior Lecturer, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, School of Dental Sciences , KIMSDU, Karad, Maharashtra, India .
authors: S R
authors: SR
authors: Ashwinirani
authors: Professor and HOD, Department of Periodontology, School of Dental Sciences , KIMSDU, Karad, Maharashtra, India .
authors: Girish
authors: G
authors: Suragimath
authors: Professor, Department of Oral Medicine & Radiology, JSS Dental College & Hospital , Mysore, Karnataka, India .
authors: H P
authors: HP
authors: Jaishankar
authors: Professor and HOD, Department of Periodontology, Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences , KIMS Campus, Bubaneshwar, Odisha, India .
authors: Prasad
authors: P
authors: Kulkarni
authors: Senior Lecturer, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, MIDSR Dental College , Ambajogai road, kasargaon, Latur, Maharashtra, India .
authors: Shobha C
authors: SC
authors: Bijjaragi
authors: Senior lecturer, Department of Oral Pathology, MIDSR Dental College , Latur, Maharashtra, India .
authors: Varsha Ajit
authors: VA
authors: Sangle
keywords: Direct digital radiography; Interdental bone loss; Periapical radiograph; Periodontal disease; Surgical measurements