title: Probing depth in periodontal pockets: In vitro evaluation of contributions to variability due to probe type and operator skill.
abstract: Periodontal probing aims at detecting the presence, type and gravity of periodontal diseases influencing distance between gingival margin and connective ligament. Measurements in vivo are affected by substantial uncertainty, owing, for example, to probe features, anatomic variations and operator's skill. Inadequate reproducibility in periodontal probing may lead to diagnostic mistakes and inappropriate therapeutic decisions. In vitro evaluation of reproducibility of measurements of periodontal pockets was aimed at while developing a Periodontal Calibration Box designed to calibrate periodontal probe operators, catering also for simulating contraction observed in vivo. Probe type and clinical experience of operators were found to affect substantially probing errors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy matteoerr@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Erriu
authors.affiliation: Department of Management and Production Engineering (DIGEP), Politecnico di Torino, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianfranco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Genta
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca Maria Giovanna
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Pili
authors.affiliation: Department of Management and Production Engineering (DIGEP), Politecnico di Torino, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Barbato
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Denotti
authors.affiliation: Department of Management and Production Engineering (DIGEP), Politecnico di Torino, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaello
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Levi
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D003756:Dental Hygienists; D003762:Dental Instruments; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000175:diagnosis*
keywords: Periodontal probe; calibration device; operator effect; probe evaluation