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Accuracy of radiographic diagnosis of peri‐implant radiolucencies ‐‐ an in vitro experiment
Author(s) -
Sewerin I. P.,
Gotfredsen K.,
Stoltze K.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
clinical oral implants research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.407
H-Index - 161
eISSN - 1600-0501
pISSN - 0905-7161
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0501.1997.080408.x
Subject(s) - radiography , implant , radiodensity , osseointegration , medicine , dentistry , peri implantitis , orthodontics , radiology , surgery
The absence of a peri‐implant radiolucency on radiographs is used as a criterion for implant success. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the accuracy of diagnosing peri‐implant radiolucencies using an experimental model. Astra Tech fixtures were inserted into 20 bony specimens. Later, the fixtures were removed and the prepared cavities were enlarged in 2 steps. The specimens were radiographed under strictly standardized circumstances in the 3 stages (“press‐fit”= simulated osseointegration, and “0.1 mm space” and “0.175 mm space”= simulated connective tissue layer”. All specimens were radiographed with 2 vertical angulations (0" and 15"). Ten observers read the radiographs and evaluated bone‐implant relationship on a 5‐point scale. The interobserver agreement was low. Specificity was remarkably low, and sensitivity was moderate. A significant difference in diagnostic accuracy was found for 0.175 mm peri‐implant space compared to 0.1 mm space. The diagnostic accuracy was found to be highest for 0.175 mm peri‐implant space specimens. It is concluded, that radiography seems to be an unreliable method for diagnosing peri‐implant spaces, although accuracy improved at increasing space widths. Strict orthogonal projection angles did not improve diagnostic accuracy.