Citing "p. x" to mean page ten of a book looks confusing since "x" isn't clearly a Roman Numeral
You shouldn't be veering from the style guide (you are of course following a style guide, right?), and style guides cover such meticulous points as this. Even if you feel their advice is a little off and you might have a better solution to a readability problem, you should never contradict it. (Why you should not contradict it is a lengthier topic, and I think this answer stands without going into it.)

So, the right thing to do is consult your respective style guide whether it's AMA or Chicago or anything else, and do what it says.