Q: What happens during a periodontal examination?
A: To assess your periodontal health-the health of your gums and supporting bone-your dentist will periodically probe along the surfaces of the teeth to measure the depth of pockets between the gum and the tooth. The dentist will use a narrow instrument called a periodontal probe, a sort of ruler with lines marked in millimeters. Abnormally deep pockets are an indication of periodontal disease.
The dentist will also note any bleeding that takes place during probing. Bleeding generally indicates inflammation. Swollen, red and bleeding gums may alert a person to a gum problem. But it requires clinical measurement throughout the mouth to determine if true periodontal pocketing has developed.
The periodontal exam also includes observation and documentation of the color and texture of gum tissue, areas of gum recession, evidence of any tooth grinding and a measurement of tooth mobility. Your dentist will record all these observations to create a baseline for future reference. Talk with your dentist about the best way to care for your gums.
|
Top
