[Comparative probing with an electronic and a manual periodontal probe]

The goal of this study was to compare a new electronic probe (Peri-Probe) which uses a defined probing force and allows measurement of probing depth in 0.1 mm increments, with a standard manual probe. 24 sites were probed in each of 12 subjects (6 treated for periodontal disease and 6 untreated). Duplicate measurements with the electronic probe were made with the probe tip remaining in contact with gingival tissue. Similarly executed measurements using the manual probe followed during the same appointment. One week later, measurements were repeated in reversed sequence. Duplicate measurements (within appointments) resulted in measurement errors of +/- 0.18 mm for the manual probe. 98.6% of the electronic measurements and 99.3% of the manual measurements differed by < 1 mm. Replicated duplicated measurements (between appointments) resulted in measurements errors of +/- 0.86 mm for the electronic probe and +/- 0.65 mm for the manual probe. A difference of < 1 mm was found in 89.2% and 95.5% of the measurement repetitions with the electronic probe and the manual probe, respectively. The electronic probe exhibited greater variation of measurements than the manual probe. In addition, probing using the electronic instrument was more arduous than using the manual instrument, resulting in less reliable measurements.