Periodontal Examination

Question 1

What is the #1 thing you do during a patient exam?

Answer 1

Get a detailed patient history

Question 2

Symptoms of periodontal disease?

Answer 2

• bleeding
• pain
• mobility / drifting
• swelling
• recession
• bad breath or taste

Question 3

What is the sequence in which an exam is done?

Answer 3

History > Extra Oral > Intra Oral > O’leary plaque index

Question 4

What is the Miller Index?

Answer 4

Degree 0: normal movement (0-0.2mm) the flexibility of a healthy PDL.

Degree 1: tooth moves 0.2-1 mm horizontally.

Degree 2: tooth moves 1-2 mm horizontally.

Degree 3: tooth moves > 2mm horizontally, and can be depressed or rotated in its socket.

Question 5

What are the degrees of furcations?

Answer 5

Probe horizontally where the root divides.
Upper molars 3 sites
Lower and premolars have 2 sites.

Degree 0: no furcation

Degree 1: probe enters the furcation up to ⅓ of the width of the tooth.

Degree 2: probe enters the furcation > ⅓ but not the total width of the tooth.

A horizontal through and through destruction.
Site and extent must be recorded.

Question 6

Benefits of radiographs?

Answer 6

1. root length and morphology.
2. anatomical crown: root ratio
3. indicates gross amount of bone loss
4. furcation involvement
5. condition of bone.

Question 7

Limitations of radiographs?

Answer 7

Represents a 3D structure in 2D

Doesnt show structures on lingual and buccal aspects

doesnt show perio pockets

doesnt record tooth mobility