What is Periotest

Periotest: An electronic device  originally developed by Schulte designed to measure the dampening effect or attenuation degree  characteristics of the periodontium around natural teeth has been recommended to monitor the initial degrees of implant. It develops a force of 12 to 18 N. A soft surface or a mobile object will give higher recordings than a hard or rigid object.  The recordings range from negative (-8) to positive (+50) numbers. Teeth with zero clinical mobility have typical ranges +5 to +9. The degree of absence of movement can thus be valuated from -8  to + 9. (17 degrees)

However, differences in Periotest Values (PTV) have been reported for implants in the mandible and in the maxilla with implants in the maxilla showing higher PTVs.

Despite some positive claims for this method, the prognostic accuracy of PTVs for the diagnosis of perimplantitis and early signs of implant failure has been criticized for the lack of resolution, poor sensitivity and susceptibility to operator variables.