HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

J Am Dent Assoc, Vol 134, No 11, 1468-1475. © 2003 American Dental Association

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by KHOCHT, A. Articles by CHANG, K.-M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by KHOCHT, A. Articles by CHANG, K.-M. Related Collections Imaging

JADA Continuing Education

Background. Intraoral radiographs are important diagnostic aids in periodontics. The authors conducted a study to compare estimates of bone levels from direct digital and conventional radiographic under normal clinical use.

Methods. A full-mouth series of conventional radiographs was taken for each of 25 subjects who had periodontitis. A long cone paralleling technique was used for periapical, or PA, images, and a paper sleeve with biting tab was employed for bitewing, or BW, images. A set of direct digital radiographs matching the conventional radiographs was taken for each subject under the same conditions. The distance from the cementoenamel junction to the interproximal alveolar crest on all readable surfaces was measured.

Results. Examiners measured 857 PA image sites and 315 BW image sites matched on both radiographic systems. Paired t test showed significant differences in bone levels between the two systems. Measurements from conventional PA images were higher in all maxillary sextants (P .02), and measurements from digital PA images were higher in mandibular anterior sextants (P = .007). Measurements in digital BW images were higher in mandibular posterior sextants (P = .002). A ² analysis of categorical bone levels (normal, early-to-moderate loss or advanced loss) showed significant differences between the imaging systems in revealing bone levels in both PA (P < .04) and BW (P < .001) images. Digital radiographs showed a higher number of sites with bone loss than did conventional radiographs.

Conclusions. Under normal clinical use, alveolar bone levels revealed on intraoral direct digital radiographs differ from those revealed on conventional radiographs.

Clinical Implications. Intraoral direct digital radiographs are not an equivalent substitute for conventional radiographs in evaluating alveolar bone levels.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				G Li, P. Engstrom, K Nasstrom, Z. Lu, G Sanderink, and U Welander Marginal bone levels measured in film and digital radiographs corrected for attenuation and visual response: an in vivo study Dentomaxillofac. Radiol., January 1, 2007; 36(1): 7 - 11. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. K. Lanning, A. M. Best, H. J. Temple, P. S. Richards, A. Carey, and L. K. McCauley Accuracy and Consistency of Radiographic Interpretation Among Clinical Instructors in Conjunction with a Training Program J Dent Educ., May 1, 2006; 70(5): 545 - 557. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. K. Lanning, A. M. Best, H. J. Temple, P. S. Richards, A. Carey, and L. K. McCauley Accuracy and consistency of radiographic interpretation among clinical instructors using two viewing systems. J Dent Educ., February 1, 2006; 70(2): 149 - 159. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Pecoraro, N Azadivatan-le, M Janal, and A Khocht Comparison of observer reliability in assessing alveolar bone height on direct digital and conventional radiographs Dentomaxillofac. Radiol., September 1, 2005; 34(5): 279 - 284. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. SPALLEK A resource guide for practice development through technology J Am Dent Assoc, October 1, 2004; 135(suppl_1): 38S - 44S. [Full Text] [PDF]