Evaluation of two-dimensional and three-dimensional radiography with direct surgical assessment of periodontal osseous defects: A clinical Study.

ABSTRACT

Aim: To compare the diagnostic values of radiovisiograph (RVG) and computed tomography (CT) images in comparison with direct surgical measurements for the determination of periodontal bone loss. Materials and Methods: Thirty‑one vertical defects were included for direct measurements during surgery with a periodontal probe. RVG and CT images were taken prior to the surgery. Similar measurements were done on their images and compared with the direct surgical values. Results: Mean difference (in mm) of RVG and CT scan in vertical defects, and intrabony component was 0.814, 0.474 and 0.073, 0.066 respectively. Intra class correlation of CT scan (0.997 and 0.990) was highest with the smallest length of 95% confidence interval. CT scan furthermore depicted maximum agreement with the surgical value. CT scan overestimated in the maximum percentage of sites in vertical defects. CT scan outscored over RVG in evaluation of the osseous defects. Conclusions: CT scan demonstrated more precise and clinically useful images of the osseous defects closer to the gold standard.