Evaluation of the interprobe electronic periodontal probe

The Interprobe is designed to provide measurements of pocket depths and attachment loss. Investigators involved in a clinical study on dental implants being conducted by the Dental Implant Clinical Research Group participated in an in vitro evaluation of the variability of repeated measurements made with the Interprobe. Measurements were made on holes drilled to predetermined depths in metal blocks. Three readings by investigators for each of nine test holes were in agreement 75.2 percent of the time. At least two of three readings were in agreement in 98.1 percent of the attempts. Either two of three or three of three readings were within 0.5 mm of the actual depth of the holes over 99 percent of the time. No correlation was noted for accuracy of measurements with hole depth or present clinical duties of the investigators. Although slight initial improvement in measurement accuracy was observed, it was not statistically significant in time over the three measurement sequence.