In dental hygiene, the probe allows us to detect pocket depths and calculus, measure recession, the width of attached gingiva, locate and measure furcations, assess intraoral lesions, and evaluate bleeding tendencies 1,4. The data collected from each of these categories presents a perfect opportunity to educate the patient about their oral health.
Full Answer
What is the purpose of a dental probe?
In dental hygiene, the probe allows us to detect pocket depths and calculus, measure recession, the width of attached gingiva, locate and measure furcations, assess intraoral lesions, and evaluate bleeding tendencies 1,4. The data collected from each of these categories presents a perfect opportunity to educate the patient about their oral health.
What is periodontal probing in the hygiene operatory?
Periodontal probing in the hygiene operatory is one of the most common methods used in diagnosing periodontal disease. Although critical for accurate diagnosis, periodontal probing may be met with resistance from patients and clinicians. Does this scenario sound familiar?
How to use a periodontal pocket probe?
How to use a Periodontal Probe: To properly measure a periodontal pocket, insert a probe under the gingival margin into the sulcus until tissue resistance is felt at the junctional epithelium.
Why are dental hygiene instruments important?
These tools are incredibly safe, effective, and quality controlled to ensure the care and safety of the patient. It’s important to learn more about dental hygiene instruments, including what they are, why they are used for a basic understanding of professional dental hygiene care.
What is dental probe used for?
Dental probing is done by using a tool called a dental “probe” to measure the depth of a tooth's pocket. The probe acts like a ruler, and has markings along its side measured out in millimeters.
What is probing in dental hygiene?
In dental hygiene, the probe allows us to detect pocket depths and calculus, measure recession, the width of attached gingiva, locate and measure furcations, assess intraoral lesions, and evaluate bleeding tendencies1,4.
Why do dentist probe gums?
Periodontal charting is the practice of using a periodontal probe to measure the distance between your gums and where they attach to your teeth. This area or space is often called a “pocket,” and the size of these pockets is an indicator of how healthy or unhealthy your gums and bone support are.
How do you use a gum probe?
0:403:54Periodontal Probing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWith this so I take a look at the probe here.MoreWith this so I take a look at the probe here.
How often should you perio probe?
The AAP recommends annual periodontal charting/evaluation on all adult patients. Legal age considered for adulthood would be 18, but in many cases waiting until that age for the first periodontal chart to be recorded, a clinician will find themselves overlooking / documenting active infection.
Does gum probing hurt?
Does Periodontal Probing Hurt? People who have healthy gums may not even feel a thing, and the process is over quite quickly. People who have unhealthy gums may feel a slight discomfort when the probe hits problematic areas, but it's far from painful for most patients. This process is nothing to be afraid of.
How long is periodontal probing?
We get 40 minutes for the average prophy patient and one hour for periodontal patients. I know periodontal probing is important, but it is very difficult to work periodontal probing into a 40-minute appointment.
What is full mouth probing?
This FMP is a critical tool to assess each patient's oral health and allow our hygienists to determine the most accurate type of treatment/cleaning for you so that they may focus on the appropriate areas needed to help get a patient healthy.
Who uses periodontal probe?
A periodontal probe is an instrument in dentistry commonly used in the dental armamentarium. It is usually long, thin, and blunted at the end. The primary purpose of a periodontal probe is to measure pocket depths around a tooth in order to establish the state of health of the periodontium.
For what purpose is a periodontal probe used quizlet?
What is the primary function of periodontal probes? Detect periodontal pockets to determine the health status of the periodontium. You just studied 36 terms!
What area does a hygienist measure with a periodontal probe?
A periodontal probe (tiny gum ruler) is utilized to measure the pocket depths in millimeters along the gumline, on the front and back of each tooth, totaling 6 measurements per tooth. When listening to these numbers, 1, 2 and 3 millimeters are all normal, healthy gum attachments to the teeth.
What are the different tools used by dentists?
From mirrors to probes, dentists require precision when it comes to reaching all corners of your mouth; these tools provide excellent control. Howe...
What dentistry tools are used to clean teeth?
Several dental tools are used throughout a typical dental cleaning procedure, including a mouth mirror, scaler, and brushing and polishing tools. L...
What dentistry instruments are used for fillings?
A cavity is treated with a filling, where dentists clean away the decay and use a composite resin to fill the cavity. The dentist will use a variet...
Is it okay if I scrape off the plaque from my teeth at home?
Don't use dental tools yourself. Instead, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist for plaque removal. Most dental tools are very sharp...
What is dental instrument?
Dentistry instruments are sanitized, sterile tools used to apply stringent cleanings of the teeth and gums. These tools are incredibly safe, effective, and quality controlled to ensure the care and safety of the patient. It’s important to learn more about dental hygiene instruments, including what they are, why they are used for a basic ...
What is a dental syringe?
Dental Syringe. This dentistry tool delivers a numbing solution to the inside of the mouth. A dental syringe is slightly longer than a regular needle to allow the dentist to accurately hit the location where anaesthetic is being inserted.
How to prevent cavities from developing?
When plaque and tartar are able to develop and remain on the teeth, it can corrode the tooth enamel and cause severe decay. Ensure you’re regularly brushing and flossing along with rinsing your mouth with mouthwash to avoid cavities and tooth decay from developing.
Why do dentists use a tip?
It is mainly used to navigate inside the pockets between the teeth to remove any food debris or plaque that is stuck and scrape it away. If the dentist identifies a visible cavity, they may use the tip to investigate it further. This instrument is an essential tool for most preventative dental procedures and dentistry.
Why do dentists clean their mouths?
Regular dental cleanings help prevent bad breath in a patient’s mouths . Not only is mouth odour unpleasant, it can sometimes be indicative of a more serious oral health problem that has been neglected. Teeth cleaning is the most effective way to maintain a clean and odour-free mouth!
What is a dental mould?
Moulds are frames that fit inside the mouth and are filled with a soft substance. Once the mould is placed inside the patient’s mouth, they will be asked to bite down into the substance-filled frame, which creates a mould of their teeth. Although the moulding material may feel cold and feel quite odd, you only have the mould inside your mouth for a few seconds to allow the dentist to get an accurate example.
How does a saliva ejector work?
The saliva ejector is far more humorous in appearance than it is scary. The saliva ejector/suction tool is a long tube attached to a vacuum suction , which is used to remove any saliva particles from the inside of the mouth. It may make vacuum-like noises and patients may feel the ejector tube stick to the inside of the cheek, but it is completely harmless. Dental treatments that involve the use of water will likely use the saliva ejector throughout the treatment to clear out the water that has accumulated within the mouth.
How to keep a tooth probe parallel?
Always keep the tip of the probe as parallel as possible to the long end of the tooth. You might find the probe is obstructed by a ledge calculus. If so, move the probe towards the tissue wall and proceed a little deeper into the pocket, around the calculus.
What is the most reliable instrument used to determine the depth of a periodontal pocket?
A periodontal probe is the most reliable instrument used to consistently determine the depth of periodontal pockets. Periodontal probes vary in design and are distinguished by the millimeter markings that appear at varying intervals to determine pocket depth measurement.
What is Williams probe?
A Williams Probe was designed to minimize the need to estimate the millimeter readings between markings at 1,2,3,5,7,8,9,and 10.
What dentistry tools are used to clean teeth?
Several dental tools are used throughout a typical dental cleaning procedure, including a mouth mirror, scaler, and brushing and polishing tools. Let's look at the cleaning process and how these tools are used.
What are the different tools used by a dentist?
From mirrors to probes, dentists require precision when it comes to reaching all corners of your mouth; these tools provide excellent control. However, these tools can also seem a bit menacing. This is actually a big problem for many people. For example, a study by the NCBI found that the fear of dental treatments is the prominent reason among patients for avoiding dental care.
How does a dentist remove decay?
Your dentist will then use a dental drill to remove decay. The suction device will remove water and debris, keeping the area clean. Once the tooth is clean, it is filled with the composite resin that takes the form of a cavity with time. The resin is applied in layers, where UV light is used to harden it after the application of each layer.
Why is a dental drill uncomfortable?
The water keeps the drill from getting too hot, which would otherwise lead to tooth damage. The drilling can be uncomfortable because it sends vibrations down the tooth and gums. While it can be painful, dentists try to minimize that by using a local anesthetic.
How do dentists treat cavities?
A cavity is treated with a filling, where dentists clean away the decay and use a composite resin to fill the cavity. The dentist will use a variety of tools, including a drill. The procedure usually involves numbing the tooth and using a local anesthetic. Your dentist will then use a dental drill to remove decay.
Why do dentists use mirrors?
The dental mirror helps dentists develop a better understanding of your oral cavity while having a close look at every corner of your mouth. The mouth mirror also serves as a tool to gently move mouth tissues or the tongue for a better view.
What is a sickle probe?
Although it comes in various shapes and sizes, this probe is a metal stick with a curved hook at the end. Dentists usually analyze the surface of the teeth for hardness using the probe.
What is periodontal probing?
Periodontal probing is one of the most common methods used in diagnosing periodontal disease. (8) Regular use of periodontal probes in routine dental practice facilitates and increases the accuracy of the process of diagnosing the condition, formulating the treatment, and predicting the outcome of therapy. (9) Although critical for accurate diagnosis, baseline assessments, and legal documentation, periodontal probing may be met with resistance from patients and clinicians. Remarks from patients such as “I hate this part” or “Of course my gums are going to bleed when you stick them” are red flags that the patient may associate probing with pain or “being poked.” This, in turn, can result in patients being apprehensive about probing, refusing periodontal exams, and being unreceptive to treatment recommendations—ultimately leaving infection untreated.
What is the standard used to measure pocket depth?
Currently, probing is the standard used to measure pocket depth. It is a critical component in the overall assessment of periodontal health. Although imperfect, manual probing is still widely used for periodontal probing.
Does diabetes increase the risk of periodontal disease?
In addition to oral health concerns, research regarding the connection between oral health and systemic health has confirmed that diabetes increases the risk of developing periodontal disease. (4) Increasing evidence supports the role of systemic inflammation and its relationship to periodontitis and cognitive decline.
How many cartridges of periodontal therapy are needed for dental hygiene?
If the dental hygiene care plan involves nonsurgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) for a quadrant, the administration of one to two cartridges often suffices.
How many cartridges are needed for dental hygienist?
There is seldom a need to administer more than four cartridges during any appointment involving dental hygiene care. 3. Before proceeding with pain control, the dental hygienist must decide which dose is the specific appropriate level based on the treatment to be delivered, as well as the health status of the patient.
How should the sequence of appointments for periodontal therapy be determined?
Until evidence indicates otherwise, the sequence and duration of appointments for periodontal therapy should be determined by the clinician based on amount of disease present and the patient's systemic health as well as comfort, and not patient preference or insurance needs.
Does local anesthesia help with infection?
Local Anesthesia for the Dental Hygienist, Elsevier, 2012) Bringing the pH of the anesthetic toward physiologic before injection may improve patient comfort by eliminating the sting, may reduce tissue injury, may reduce anesthetic latency, and may provide more effective anesthesia in the area of infection. Thus, dental hygienists can increase ...
Can a dental hygienist use anesthesia on the mandibular?
However, the dental hygienist should avoid administering local anesthetics to both the mandibular right and left quadrants during a single treatment to prevent the inability of the patient to control his or her mandible; thus the use of quadrant or half-mouth procedures is usually recommended (see Figure 2).
Can you anesthetize multiple teeth?
Thus, with a single-site palatal injection, one can anesthetize multiple teeth (from the maxillary second premolar through the maxillary central incisor) and associated periodontium without causing the usual collateral anesthesia to the soft tissue of the patient's upper lip and face.
Is gross scaling required for periodontal therapy?
First, it is important to note that gross scaling where large-sized supragingival calculus is removed at the initial appointment is no longer recommended. Instead, two types of periodontal therapy can be considered for patient care during Phase 1 periodontal therapy (nonsurgical phase).
Probing Designs
Technique
- The straight periodontal probe is gently inserted into the sulcus/pocket to the epithelial attachment where light resilience should be felt. Radiographs should be used in conjunction with prob ing to ensure accuracy. Probing around calculus should be attempted. If the calculus impedes accurate measurement, probing can occur immediately after removal of heavier deposi…
Systematic Approach
- The periodontal assessment should include a full mouth, six-point probing with every sulcus/pocket depth recorded for all adult patients. The six measurements include three on the facial surface (mesiofacial, facial, distofacial) and three on the lingual surface (mesiolingual, lingual, distofacial). When completing the periodontal assess ment, the clinician should develop …
Application During Assessment
- Probing depth measurements provide an overall assessment of the periodontal pocket depths, which is where periodon tal microorganisms thrive.4 Probing depth is the distance from the gingival margin to the epithelial attachment.4 After pocket depths are assessed, clinical attachments levels (CAL) are determined. CAL is the distance from the cementoe namel junctio…
Periodontal Maintenance
- Serial probing measurements must be completed at periodontal maintenance appointments and compared with previous measurements to determine whether the disease is progressing.9Rather than peri odontal pocket measurement, attachment loss over time is the primary indicator of the periodontal disease progression. Regular documen tation of attachment loss in the patient recor…
Periodontal Probing Systems and Recording
- The use of dental management systems and automated probing systems can fur ther enhance accuracy and efficiency of the periodontal probing assessment. Table 2 provides a list of automated prob ing systems. Pressure-sensitive, computer assisted, and voice – activated probing sys tems are alternatives to manual probing. Computer-generated periodontal charting …
Conclusion
- Probe readings in increments of 1 mm provide the greatest accuracy, and in practices with more than one dental hygienist, the same types of probes should be used to ensure consistency of readings between clinicians. Dental hygienists can control some factors by selection of the proper probe and tech nique, however, the patient’s inherent conditions such as root anatomy and tissu…
References
- Greenstein G. Current interpretations of periodontal probing evaluations: diagnostic and therapeutic implications. Compen Contin Educ Dent. 2005;26:381-382,384,387-390.
- American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA). ADHA Bylaws and Code of Ethics. Available at: www.adha.org/aboutadha/index.html. Accessed August 27, 2010.
- ADHA. Standards for Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice. Available at:www.adha.org/downloads…
- Greenstein G. Current interpretations of periodontal probing evaluations: diagnostic and therapeutic implications. Compen Contin Educ Dent. 2005;26:381-382,384,387-390.
- American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA). ADHA Bylaws and Code of Ethics. Available at: www.adha.org/aboutadha/index.html. Accessed August 27, 2010.
- ADHA. Standards for Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice. Available at:www.adha.org/downloads/adha_standards08.pdf. Accessed August 27, 2010.
- American Academy of Periodontology. Position paper: diagnosis of periodontal diseases.J Periodontol. 2003;74:1237-1247.
