Journal of Dental Research, Vol 58, 547-553, Copyright © 1979 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Proceedings of the workshop on quantitative evaluation of periodontal diseases by physical measurement techniques
P. F. Parakkal
Most of the participants agreed that the destruction of connective tissue
is the single most significant criterion for assessing the severity of
periodontal disease. Members were equally divided between favoring a
measure of bone height or density and a measure of soft tissue destruction,
such as attachment level or pocket depth. A measure of the rate of
destruction of bone at the time of examination was considered to be
especially useful. Opinion was equally divided as to the second most
important parameter related to periodontal disease, either measures of
gingival inflammation or measures of dental plaque. Measurements of
gingival fluid and measures of tooth mobility were less favored by the
group as a whole, but each measurement area was favored by strong
proponents.
