Periodontal assessment

Question 1

Outline

Answer 1

the periodontal tissues are those acting as supporting tissues around the tooth (gingivae, periodontal ligament + underlying alveolar bone forming the tooth socket).
The commonest disease found in adult pts + its presence can be missed or remain undetected for many years due to its slow onset + painless nature

Question 2

The presence of periodontal disease

Answer 2

can be quickly recorded during exam, by dividing mouth in sextants + record presence + depth of unnatural spaces down side of the teeth (periodontal pockets) shown on BPE assessment

Question 3

Healthy periodontal tissues

Answer 3

appear pink, firmly attached to necks of teeth with gingival crevice no deeper than 3mm + do not bleed when touched. Teeth are firmly held in their sockets by periodontal supporting tissues + no plaque is present

Question 4

Periodontal probes e.g BPE probe

Answer 4

are used to record the presence + depth of any periodontal pockets discovered in each sextant of dental arches. The probe has a ball end, so it doesn’t pierce soft tissues when inserted into pocket, + graduated marks along its shank at 3.5,5.5 + 7mm

Question 5

Code 0

Answer 5

healthy gingival tissue, no BOP (bleeding on probing)

Question 6

Code 1

Answer 6

pocket no more than 3.5mm, BOP, no calculus or other plaque retention actor present

Question 7

Code 2

Answer 7

pocket no more than 3.5mm, but plaque retention factor detected (e.g subgingival calculus or filling overhang)

Question 8

Code 3

Answer 8

pocket present up to 5.5mm deep

Question 9

Code 4

Answer 9

pocket present deeper than 5.5mm but less than 7mm

Question 10

Code *

Answer 10

gingival recession or furcation involvement present, pocket present deeper than 7mm

Question 11

Where codes are greater than 3 are recorded

Answer 11

a full pocket depth record will be made of each tooth in that sextant, so specific problem areas can be identified + intensive periodontal trt can be initiated

Question 12

A full detailed periodontal recording

Answer 12

is made which is used to record individual pocket depths at various points around each tooth, areas of recession + tooth mobility + presence + extent of any plaque found

Question 13

Tooth mobility grades

Answer 13

Grade I - side to side movement less than 2mm
Grade II - side to side movement more than 2mm
Grade III - vertical movement present

Question 14

By using this type of chart

Answer 14

to record the same factors over a period of time, a record is built up of active periodontal lesions as well as areas where trt has been successful + pockets have not increased in depth

Question 15

The standard of OH can be graded

Answer 15

as excellent, good, fair or poor + should be recorded at each oral health assessment so pt motivation + compliance can be monitored