Digitized quantification of angular periodontal bone defects

A computer-based technique was developed to facilitate a more quantitative and objective interpretation of the radiographic image of periodontal bone defects. The evaluation of this automated diagnostic procedure is discussed. The procedure and a number of experienced dentists are compared with respect to the ability of each of them to rank a number of radiographs of bone lesions according to the severity of the lesion. The assessment based on the automated procedure proved to be at least comparable with the results of the group of experienced observers and probably better. It performed considerably better than the observers individually, and it shows no time-dependent variability of repeated assessments. The variability of repeated measurements applied to the same lesion site proved to be within clinically acceptable limits, although a further improvement will be helpful to increase the accuracy needed for longitudinal diagnostic investigations.<>