Clinical attachment level measurements with and without the use of a stent by a computerized electronic probe.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether a stent should be used when assessing attachment level (AL) by an electronic probe (Florida Probe).

METHODS

Twenty patients were recruited and individual stents were obtained to measure relative AL (RAL) with the Florida stent probe. Conventional AL (CAL) measurements were obtained by adding pocket depth and gingival recession recorded by the Florida pocket probe. Duplicate RAL and CAL measurements were taken one hour apart from each other on anterior teeth, at six sites per tooth, by one examiner. Patients were treated and reassessed with both probes after 45 days so that the gain in RAL and CAL could also be compared.

RESULTS

Pearson's correlation test showed that correlation was moderate (r = 0.57) and significant (p < 0.001) for duplicate CAL measurements. As for RAL values, correlation was higher (0.91) and significant (p < 0.001). The difference between RAL and CAL gain after 45 days was 0.04 mm (p = 0.85).

CONCLUSION

Since the correlation was higher for duplicate RAL measurements than for CAL measurements, the use of a stent should be considered in clinical trials to ensure better reproducibility of measurement of attachment level gains.