Ricerc@Sapienza

This study was performed to evaluate the reliability of peri-apical
radiographs in determining peri-implant marginal bone level changes. The
STROBE guidelines were followed. Marginal bone levels were measured at the
time of implant insertion using a straight periodontal probe and using peri-apical
radiographs. These intraoperative and radiographic measurements were repeated at
the time of second surgery. All radiographs were analysed by two examiners blinded
to the intraoperative measurements. To standardize the radiographic images, the
long-cone parallel technique and a film-holding system were used. Intra-observer
agreement and inter-observer variability were assessed using the intra-class
correlation coefficient (ICC). Descriptive statistics, the t-test, and the Pearson
correlation coefficient were also used. A total of 268 implants were inserted in 142
patients. Inter-observer agreement was 0.950; intra-observer variability was 0.980
and 0.973. The mean difference between the radiographic and intraoperative
measurements was 0.50 1.55 mm (range 0–8 mm); the difference was
statistically significant (P = 0.000). A significant linear correlation was found
between the marginal bone level changes evaluated intraoperatively andradiographically (P < 0.005). Radiographic analysis significantly overestimated
the level of peri-implant marginal bone compared to intraoperative measurements,
but peri-apical radiographs are reliable in determining the bone level changes at
different follow-ups.