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In vitro consistency of the Periotest instrument
1Advanced Education Prosthodontics, Northwestern University Dental School, Chicago, IL 60611.
Purpose:
The consistency of measuring the damping characteristics using the Periotest (Siemens AG, Bensheim, Germany) was studied.
Materials And Methods:
Periotest values (PTV) of three rods embedded in various depths of impression material were recorded by seven dentists.
Results:
There is no statistically significant difference among the subjects in measuring PTV of any of the three rods. However, the variation in the occlusal-gingival position of impact resulted in statistically significant different PTV measurements of each of the three rods. Assessment of mobility of the same objects using a clinical criterion was found to be less consistent as the mobility of the object increased.
Conclusion:
In vitro PTV measurements are consistent provided that the position of impact is controlled.