Reliability of partial-mouth recording systems to determine periodontal status: a pilot study in an adult Portuguese population.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of various partial-mouth recording (PMR) systems is analyzed in the evaluation of periodontal status, using index teeth and different combinations of quadrants. METHODS: The study group was formed of 108 adults aged 25 to 65 years old. A full-mouth examination (FME) was performed in all participants to determine the periodontal probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) at six sites per tooth. The results of PMR using the Ramfjord teeth, the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs teeth, and the four quadrants individually and combined in pairs were compared to the results obtained with FME. RESULTS: Concordance with FME in terms of the prevalence of patients with PD >/=4 mm, CAL >/=2 mm, and CAL >/=4 mm was lowest with examination of single quadrants and highest with combinations that included one superior and one inferior quadrant. CONCLUSIONS: PMR systems, particularly with combinations of a superior plus an inferior quadrant, could be useful to evaluate periodontal status based on PD and CAL. This tool could be useful for epidemiologic surveys on periodontal status.