Abstract
The interdental pressure index (IPI) is introduced to specifically evaluate clinical interproximal-tissue conditions and assess the effect of interproximal hygiene stimulation. This index scores clinical responses of periodontal tissues to the apical pressure of a horizontally placed periodontal probe. It is negative when gingival tissues are firm, bleeding-free, and slightly ischemic by the stimulation; otherwise it is positive. The clinical validation showed high intraoperator agreement (0.92; 95% CI: 0.82–0.96; P = 0.0001) and excellent interoperator agreement (0.76; 95% CI: 0.14–1.38; P = 0.02). High internal consistency with bleeding on probing (κ = 0.88) and gingival index (Cronbach's α = 0.81) was obtained. Histological validation obtained high sensitivity (100%) and specificity (80%) for IPI+ toward inflammatory active form. The same results were recorded for IPI− toward chronic inactive form. IPI results as a simple and noninvasive method with low error probability and good reflection of histological condition that can be applied for oral hygiene motivation. Patient compliance to oral hygiene instructions is essential in periodontal therapy and IPI index can be a practical and intuitive tool to check and reinforce this important aspect.
Highlights
Many clinical indexes, instrumental examinations, and laboratory tests are today available in order to study and define periodontal condition
interdental pressure index (IPI) results as a simple and noninvasive method with low error probability and good reflection of histological condition that can be applied for oral hygiene motivation
The aim of this study is to introduce the “Interdental pressure index” (IPI), a new index developed to record interproximal-tissue status
Summary
Instrumental examinations, and laboratory tests are today available in order to study and define periodontal condition. Periodontal soft-tissue responses to nonsurgical periodontal therapy commonly show general improvement after treatment on all conventionally used clinical indexes [1, 2]. This positive response is an obvious benefit of professional instrumentation and a consequence of improved patient oral hygiene habits [3]. Cantor and Stahl [4] and Checchi et al [5] demonstrated that daily use of an interproximal hygiene device, adjacent to a periodontal pocket, results in keratinization of the dental col and shrinkage and flattening of the papillae, with a consequent decrease in pocket depth
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