Pre-study calibration and training
PD, ®
Prior to initiation of study, a calibration exercise was performed to document intra-examiner reproducibility for primary outcome variables probing depth (PD) and peri-implant crestal bone level (CBL). In a sample of 10 patients with a total of 19 implants, PD (six sites/implant; mesio-buccal, mid-buccal, disto-buccal, mesio-lingual/palatal, mid-lingual/palatal, disto-lingual/ palatal) and CBL (two sites/implant; mesial and distal on standardized intraoral radiographs) were measured twice at each implant one day apart. PD was measured without removing the prosthetic restoration since both cemented and screw-retained fixed prosthesis were included. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated separately for each site. ICC for the agreement ranged between 0.90 and 1.00 for both PD and CBL [The operator was trained in the proper use of the latest version of the air-polishing device (AIRFLOW® One, EMS, Nyon, Switzerland) using 10 patients.