Intra- and inter-examiner reproducibility of manual probing depth

Abstract

The periodontal probe remains the best clinical diagnostic tool for the collection of information regarding the health status and the attachment level of periodontal tissues. The aim of this study was to evaluate intra-and inter-examiner reproducibility of probing depth (PD) measurements made with a manual probe. With the approval of an Ethics Committee, 20 individuals without periodontal disease were selected if they presented at least 6 teeth per quadrant. Using a Williams periodontal probe, three calibrated thesis-level students (k > 0.6) assessed PD at 6 sites per tooth, from the gingival margin to the bottom of the periodontal sulcus (rounded to the next 0.5 mm). Initial and repeated measurements were performed by the same three examiners. The intra-examiner agreement (± 1 mm > 90%) was 99.85%, 100%, and 100% for the three examiners, respectively. When the variables vestibular/lingual surfaces, mesial/distal surfaces, or superior/inferior jaws were evaluated, no significant differences in reproducibility were detected at the inter-examiner level (p < 0.05). At this level, the only significant differences observed were in the three examiners' measurements of the anterior and posterior sites. While high intra-examiner reproducibility was detected, interexaminer level proved to be low. We can conclude that measurement of PD with a manual periodontal probe produced high reproducibility in healthy individuals. The operator's position can affect the reproducibility of repeated measures of PD. Calibration and operator training, rather than operator experience, were fundamental for reproducibility. Other factors, such as individual technique and probing depth force, can affect inter-examiner reproducibility.

A six-site method for the evaluation of periodontal bone loss in cone-beam CT images

“…In fact, the six sites were established on the basis of probing location clinically used for the assessment of alveolar bone level. 13,14 This makes the method practical and easy to use.…”

“…Since there is no gold standard or a gauge for the clinical assessment of periodontal disease, 14,31 precision to ±1 mm of a manual periodontal probe was acceptable in clinical experience. 26,[32][33][34] Thus, when the radiographic measurements of the studied alveolar bone levels were in the range of the clinical measurements ±1 mm, the radiographic measurement was considered accurate.…”

“…This method was established on the basis of clinical probing locations that are commonly used in the assessment of the alveolar bone level. 13,14 Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the accuracy and repeatability of the method for alveolar bone level evaluation in CBCT images.…”

Levels of Immunoglobulin A1 in Peri-Implant Fluid and Saliva from Patients with Mucositis: A Preliminary Study

“…Another point to consider is the probe used. Although pre-calibrated probes allow better standardization and probing depth (17,18), the use of this device is not compatible with the clinical reality in many developing countries. Given that the diagnostic method should be simple and widely applicable, we prefer to use conventional probes by a calibrated examiner.…”

“…Given that the diagnostic method should be simple and widely applicable, we prefer to use conventional probes by a calibrated examiner. The limitations of manual probing can be suppressed by calibration and operator training, rather than operator experience (18).…”