Interobserver and Intraobserver Reliability and the Accuracy of Periapical Radiographs as a Diagnostic Test in the Identification of Furcation Involvement in Mandibular Molars

Abstract

PURPOSE: To assess the interobserver and intraobserver reliability as well as to determine the accuracy of periapical radiographs as a diagnostic test in the detection of furcation involvement in mandibular molars. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Periapical radiographs were interpreted by different observers for the presence or absence of furcation involvement. Fleiss kappa values for reliability as well as sensitivity, specificity predictive values and AUC were calculated to determine reliability and accuracy of periapical radiographs as a diagnostic test in the detection of furcation involvement in mandibular molars. RESULTS: Periapical radiographs are moderately to substantially reliable and moderately accurate in detecting furcation involvement in mandibular molars CONCLUSION: Periapical radiography is an accurate diagnostic method but has its limitations in both reliability and validity in the detection of furcation involvement in mandibular molars and these must be considered when interpreting these radiographs for the presence of furcation involvement.