Comparison of the diagnostic potential of direct digital and conventional intraoral radiography in the evaluation of peri-implant conditions.

Abstract

The aims of this study were to examine whether viewers agreed on details seen in direct (real time) digital and conventional film radiographs of implants, and whether there were differences in agreement between the systems. Intra-oral radiographs of implants were exposed both as direct digital and conventional film radiographs. Fifty pairs of radiographs with similar projection and exposure were selected, showing 59 implants. Ten viewers assessed the radiographs separately and noted eight different details. The viewers showed very high agreement in their assessments of radiographs of each technique separately, and there were no statistically significant differences. However, there was a tendency to stronger agreement in the direct digital radiographs in four assessed points out of eight. The patients' experience of having radiographs exposed with the two methods was also studied by questionnaire. The patients' opinions on the two techniques did not differ statistically. This study shows that digital radiography has at least equal diagnostic yield compared to film radiography.