OBJECTIVE

The aim of this parallel group study was to determine the clinical applicability of a newly developed bacterial test.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We evaluated the ability of the test to detect five bacteria associated with peri-implantitis: Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Prevotella intermedia, and Treponema denticola. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were established. Furthermore, by analyzing the pre-test and post-test probabilities, likelihood ratios were established, and a Fagan nomogram was constructed. As the standard, the clinical criteria of peri-implantitis adopted in the latest classification of peri-implant diseases of 2018 were used

RESULTS

The sample consisted of 13 patients clinically diagnosed with peri-implantitis (various implant brands) with at least 1 year of loading, of whom 11 were included in the study. The healthy group comprised 10 patients who received implants (Ticare inhex hybrid) at the university dental clinic and were monitored and exhibited no signs or symptoms of peri-implantitis during 1 year of loading. The results indicated that this test has high sensitivity and low specificity.

CONCLUSION

Periopoc is not a quick alternative for diagnosis.  The reagents used in the test deteriorate with changes in temperature; therefore, the tests cannot be used in dental clinics without a guarantee that the cold chain was preserved. This test is very unspecific and very sensitive. Our results show a high specificity of 100% is an excellent diagnostic confirmation test, although it has a low sensitivity of 52% which does not allow us to safely rule out a negative result. This assessment is confirmed with the predictive values (pretest) and likelihood ratios (post-test) as well as with the Fagan normogram which expresses a positive value at infinity and a negative value of 50%.