2/5: Periodontal Probing Flashcards
What is the purpose of a periodontal probe?
To evaluate the health of the periodontium (bone and gingiva surrounding tooth)
What is a probing depth?
Measurement of the depth of a SULCUS or PERIODONTAL POCKET by measuring distance from a gingival margin to the base of the pocket using a calibrated periodontal probe
What is sulcus?
The natural space between the surface of the tooth and the surrounding gingiva
What is a periodontal pocket?
When probing depths >3mm and clinical manifestations of
inflammation and bleeding are present
In healthy patients, should the periodontal probe enter?
Barely permits the insertion of the probe
What is the probing depth measurement in a sulcus?
1-3mm
What does periodontal pocket occur as a result of?
bacterial plaque and apical migration of the junctional epithelium (clinical attachment loss)
What is the probe used at UMKC?
Marquis- measured at 3,6,9,12 blocks
How many sites does probing measure?
6 sites per tooth
1. distofacial
2. facial
3. mesiofacial
4. distolingual
5. lingual
6. mesiolingual
Note: only one reading per site is recorded; if
probing depths vary within a sire, the deepest
reading obtained in that site is recorded
What is probing?
act of walking the tip of a probe along the junctional epithelium(JE) within the sulcus or pocket for the purpose of assessing the health status of the periodontal tissues
What is walking stroke?
The movements of calibrated probe around the perimeter of the base of a sulcus/pocket
What is probing essential for?
evaluate the entire “length”
of the pocket base because the JE is not necessarily at a uniform level around the
tooth.
What grasp should be used when holding a probe?
Modified pen grasp
Where should the fulcrum be when probing?
Close to the tooth you are probing
What part of the probe should contact the tooth?
Working-end of the probe
