Probe Design features Flashcards
What are the types of markings on perio probes?
Markings at each millimeter (eg UNC 15 mm probe)
Markings at certain intervals (like the ones used in pros)
Colour-coded
What are the functions of probes?
Findings from perio probes are used to determine health of perio tissues. Used like miniature rulers for making intraoral measurements.
Measure sulcus and pocket depths
Measure clinical attachment levels
Determine width of attached gingiva
Assess for the presence of bleeding
Measure the size of oral lesions
What is the probing depth of healthy gingival sulci?
1 - 3mm anything below that indicates a periodontal pocket
What is probing? (definition)
The act of walking the tip of a probe along the base of a sulcus or pocket for the purpose of assessing the health status of the periodontal tissues
What is a walking stroke?
A series of bobbing strokes that are made within the sulcus or pocket while keeping the probe tip against the tooth surface
How are walking strokes produced?
Insert walking tip and lightly run the tip along the tooth surface until it encounters soft tissue base of the sulcus or pocket.
Create a walking stroke by moving the probe tip up and down in short bobbing strokes.
Move forward in 1mm increments.
DO NOT REMOVE PROBE FROM GINGIVAL SULCUS AS THIS CAN TRAUMATIZE TISSUE
How much pressure should be exerted with a perio probe?
Between 10 and 20 grams
How should the probe tip be adapted to tooth surface?
The probe tip is kept in contact with the tooth surface throughout the walking stroke
Do NOT hold probe tip away from the tooth.
What is parallelism?
The probe should be held as parallel as possible to the tooth surface
The probe must be prallel in the mesiodistal dimension and the faciolingual dimension
Is it normal for sulcus depths to vary in a single area?
Yes, this is why walking probing is a good idea
How are perio probe measurements recorded?
Measurements are recorded for 6 different areas on each tooth
Which reading is recorded when there are several different readins in the same area?
The deepest reading is recorded for that area.
How are teeth probed in thein interproximal contact points?
A 2 step technique is used:
Step 1: touch the contact area
Step 2: Slant the probe slightly so that the tip reaches under the contact area. In this position gently press downward to touch the soft tissue base
