[A study on the utility of a scale for examination in residual ridge height based on an objective assessment].

PURPOSE To establish a simple and objective assessment of the residual ridge height of edentulous patients, we investigated the utility of a newly developed "examination scale" based on our clinical research. METHODS The sites corresponding to the right and left first molars in study models (100 sets) of edentulous maxillae and mandibles were examined. Subjective assessment and assessment with the three-grade examination scale (high, middle, low) were performed by 16 dentists (less than 3 years of clinical experience: 8, more than 7 years of clinical experience: 8). Objective assessment of residual ridge vertical height was performed with digital vernier calipers. Agreement among the subjective assessment, objective assessment, and assessment with the examination scale was analyzed with kappa values. RESULTS Marked variations were noted in the relation between the subjective assessment and objective assessment regardless of the individual's clinical experience. Agreement between the subjective assessment and objective assessment was low (maxillae: less than 3 years of clinical experience: 0.38, more than 7 years of clinical experience: 0.32, mandibles: less than 3 years of clinical experience: 0.35, more than 7 years of clinical experience: 0.43). However, agreement between the assessment with the examination scale and objective assessment was high (maxillae: less than 3 years of clinical experience: 0.68, more than 7 years of clinical experience: 0.69, mandibles: less than 3 years of clinical experience: 0.57, more than 7 years of clinical experience: 0.60). CONCLUSION The assessment by the newly developed examination scale for residual ridge height of edentulous patients agreed well with the objective assessment, indicating the usefulness of this scale.