Periodontal Instrumentation

Periodontal Instrumentation

Write short note on types and uses of periodontal probe.
Answer. Periodontal probe is a tapered rod-like instrument with blunt round working end calibrated in millimeter and color-coding.

Periodontal probes are used to locate, measure and mark pockets, as well as determine their course on individual tooth surfaces.

Types of Periodontal Probes

Following are the types of periodontal probes:

“Understanding the role of periodontal instruments in gum health”

• William’s probe: It is stainless steel probe. Diameters are available as 1 mm and 13 mm with markings at 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 5 mm, 7 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm and 10 mm. Markings of 4 mm and 6mm are missing which enhance the visibility and clear confusion in reading markings.
• WHO/CPITN probe: It has 0.5 mm ball at tip and millimeter markings at 3.5 mm, 8.5 mm and 11.5 mm and black color coding from 3.5 to 5.5 mm. They are of two types, i.e. CPITN – E probe and CPITN-C probe.
  • CPITN-E (Epidemiological) probe: They have 3.5 mm and 5.5 mm markings.
  • CPITN-C (Clinical) probe: They have 3.5 mm, 5.5 mm, 8.5 mm and 11.5 mm markings.

“Importance of studying periodontal instrumentation for dental professionals”

• UNC-15 probe: It is a 15 mm long probe with markings at each mm and color at 5th, 10th and 15th mm.
• Marquis color-coded probe: Calibrations are in 3 mm sections. The colored band on the periodontal probe is designed to make periodontal examination readings more objective and faster.
• Michigan “O” probe with markings at 3 mm, 6 mm and 8 mm.
• Goldman-Fox probe: Flat, rectangular probe with William’s markings at 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 5 mm, 7 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm and 10 mm.
• Naber’s probe: It is a curved probe designed to get access and determine the extent of the inter-radicular bone loss at furcation sites. It has color-coded markings at 3, 6, 9 and 12 mm.
• Moffitt/Maryland probe: WHO design with William’s markings.
• National Institute of Dental Research (NIDR) probe: Colorcoded and graduated in 2 mm increments at 2 mm, 4 mm, 6 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm and 12 mm with alternating increments colored in yellow.

“Common challenges in mastering periodontal instrumentation”

“Steps to identify different types of periodontal instruments”

Read And Learn More: Periodontics Question And Answers

• Florida probe: Gibbs et al. in the year 1988 developed the Florida probe system. This system incorporates constant probing force, precise electrical measurement and computer storage of data. The parts are probe hand piece, digital readout, switch, computer interface and computer. Two models have been developed which differ in their fixed reference point:
  • Sterit model: The probe has 1 mm metal collar that rests on a prepared ledge on a prefabricated vacuform stent.
  • Disk model: The probe has 11 mm disk which rests on the occlusal surface or incisal edge of the tooth.

“Role of curettes in subgingival scaling and root planing”

“Early warning signs of improper instrument selection”

• • Toronto-automated probe: It is developed by researchers at the University of Toronto. Likewise, the Florida probe, the occlusal-incisal surface is measured with this probe to get clinical attachment levels. The sulcus is probed with 0.5 mm nickel-titanium wire, which extended under air pressure. The probe is useful to control angular discrepancies with the help of a mercury tilt sensor that limits angulation within 130°. But it requires reproducible positioning of the patients head and cannot easily measure 2nd and 3rd molars.

“Role of diagrams and lab exercises in explaining instrument use”

• • Inter-Probe or Perioprobe: It is a third-generation probe and developed by Goodson and Kondon in 1988. This has an optical encoder transduction element with a flexible probe tip. The tip takes a curve with the tooth when the probe enters the pocket area. The probe optical encoder handpieces uses constant probing pressure to get repeatable measurement of pocket depth and attachment loss.
  • The Jeffcoat probe or Foster-Miller probe: It was developed by Jeffcoat in 1986. It is capable of coupling pocket depth measurement with detection of the cementoenamel junction (CEI). The probe extends a thin metal fiber along the tooth surface into the sulcus and detects a slight acceleration rise when encountering the CEJ and then undergoes final extension, under constant force, on reaching the base of the pocket.

“Asymptomatic vs symptomatic effects of incorrect tool use”

Uses of Periodontal Probe

• Periodontal Probe measures the depth of gingival sulcus as well as gingival recession.
• Periodontal Probe leads to the quantification of bacterial plaque as well as gingival inflammation.
• Periodontal Probe determines mucogingival relationship.
• Periodontal Probe locates the calculus.
• Periodontal Probe identifies tooth irregularities and tissue characteristics.
• Periodontal Probe determines bleeding tendency and presence of purulent exudates.
• Periodontal Probe evaluates bone support in furcation areas of teeth.