Probing Flashcards
what is the purpose of the periodontal probe
to evaluate the health of the periodontium
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 a sulcus
the natural space between the surface of the tooth and the surrounding gingiva
whats the range of probing depths in a sulcus
1-3 mm
what is a periodontal pocket
when probing depths exceed 3 mm and clinical manifestations of inflammation and bleeding are present
what cause periodontal pockets
bacterial plaque and apical migration of the junctional epithelium
what are the sites that probing measures on each tooth
-distofacial
-facial
-mesiofacial
-distolingual
-lingual
-mesiolingual
what do you record if there are multiple probing depths in one site
the deepest reading is recorded
what is probing
act of walking the tip of a probe along the junctional epithelium within the sulcus or pocket for the purpose of assessing the health status of the periodontal tissues
what is the walking stroke
the movement of a calibrated probe around the perimeter of the base of a sulcus/pocket
why is it essential to evaluate the entire length of the pocket
because the JE is not necessarily uniform level around the tooth
how do you hold the probe
modified pen grasp and use fulcrum (ring finger) to stabilize
working end of the probe should always ____
contact the tooth
when does the probe not need to be parallel to the long axis of the tooth
when probing interproximal spaces
how much pressure should you put on probe when it reaches base of sulcus
10-15 grams
