RADIOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF PERIODONTAL OSSEOUS DEFECTS - IN VITRO STUDY AVALIAÇÃO RADIOGRÁFICA DOS DEFEITOS ÓSSEOS PERIODONTAIS - ESTUDO "IN VITRO"

SUMMARY Introduction: Although the image diagnostic methods have been developed allowing an advanced of early detection of the diseases, the conventional radiographic exam continues to be an important tool to evaluate the periodontal condition. In the correlated literature few investigations exist on the specificity of the osseous defects radiographic image, highlighting the necessity of additional studies on the theme. Objective: To describe the radiographic aspects of periodontal bone defects, produced artificially in dry mandibles, and to emphasize the anatomic determinants that contribute to the formation of the different types of defects. Method: Eight periodontal bone defects types were produced in fourteen dry mandibles. Standardized digital photographs and conventional radiographs were obtained from each region, before and after the simulation of the referred defects. Soon afterwards, the radiographs were placed in a light box and evaluated by three examiners. Results: The bone defects showed distinct radiographics characteristics, allowing its identification, except for the one-, two-, three-walls infrabony defects. The radicular septum bone defect was the most difficult to be evaluated while the horizontal and vertical defects were the most easily interpreted. Final considerations: The interpretation of periodontal bone defects radiographics images is dependent to the resorption type is being evaluated. The description of the bone defect could be facilitated to those types that have the morphology with less overlap of the bone and dental structures.