Reliability of linear alveolar bone loss measurements of mandibular posterior teeth from digitized bitewing radiographs |
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Authors: | C. F. Hildebolt T. K. Pilgram N. Yokoyama-Crothers G. Fletcher J. L. Helbig T. Q. Bartlett M. Gravier M. W. Vannier M. K. Shrout |
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Affiliation: | Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO. USA;Department of Anthropology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA;Department of Radiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA USA;Department of Oral Diagnosis and Patient Services, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta. GA USA. |
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Abstract: | Abstract. Observer reliability in performing linear measurements between the cementoenamel junction and alveolar crest was determined for mandibular posterior teeth from digitized clinical bitewing radiographs acquired during recall examinations. 6 measurements (corresponding to traditional probing measurements were made per tooth by 3 observers. Mesial and distal measurements made to the most coronal aspects of the alveolar crest were the most reliable and least biased, As was anticipated, intra-observer reliability was better than inter-observer reliability although the 3 observers of our study were able to detect a significant mean change (0.1 mm. p < 0.0001) in alveolar bone height over a 1-year period for 10 patients. For our most reliable and unbiased measurements (mesial measurements to the alveolar crest), a change of 0.54 mm (90th percentile) would be required to indicate change at a site from one time to the next. Based on the reliability of our digital radiographic measurements, with the α error rate set at 0.05 and β at 0.20. a difference in alveolar bone height of 0.3 mm could be detected with a patient sample size of between 13 (best case) and 54 (worst case). |
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Keywords: | alveolar bone radiographic bone height reliability |
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