PerioTemp^® vs. Infrared Thermometer for Measuring Gingival Temperature

Objectives: To compare gingival temperature measurements taken using an infrared thermometer with those taken using the PerioTemp^® system. Methods: Gingival temperature measurements were obtained from 12 volunteers every week for 7 weeks. The measurements were taken on the buccal aspect of eight experimental teeth (four canines and four premolars) using the PerioTemp^® RM2 thermometer (Abiodent Inc., USA) and an infrared thermometer (Thermoscan^® IRT 3520 Braun Germany). Results: A total of 567 paired readings were analysed. The mean difference between the two instruments was 0.18°C (sd 0.55, CI –0.22 to –0.13°C). The temperature measured with the Thermoscan^® was statistically higher than that using the PerioTemp^®, but is unlikely to be clinically significant. The limits of agreement were –1.83°C and 1.07°C, but the agreement was dependent on the temperature. At higher temperatures there was greater agreement between the two techniques than at lower temperatures. Comparison of the baseline readings from each instrument showed that the reliability was very similar. Conclusion: The readings from the infrared thermometer were found to have reasonable agreement with the readings from the PerioTemp^® particularly when the gingival temperature was more than 35.5ºC. An infrared thermometer can be used in a clinical environment as a practical alternative to the PerioTemp^® system to differentiate between healthy and diseased gingiva.