periodontal instrument that is marked in mm increments and used to evaluate periodontal tissue health

1) have blunt, rod-shaped working ends that have circular or rectangular cross section

2) used to measure sulcus and pocked depths

3) to measure clinical attachment levels

4) determine width of attached gingiva

5) presence of bleeding

6) measure size of oral lesions

sulcus that has deepened because of disease

- the JE forms the base of the pocket by attaching to the root surface apical to the CEJ

- result from destruction of alveolar bone and periodontal ligament fibers surrounding the tooth

- depth measured by probe is greater than 3 mm

free gingiva

(unattached gingiva)

(marginal gingiva)

unattached portion of the gingiva that surrounds the tooth in the CEJ (cemento-ename junction)

- closely around tooth but not directly attached to it

- form the soft tissue wall of gingival sulcus

gingival sulcus

(sulci is plural form)

- specialized type of epithelium that attaches to the tooth surface 

- it is at the base of the gingival sulcus/ periodontal pocket

- attaches to the enamel crown near the CEJ

gingiva that is tightly connected to the cementum on the cervical- third of the root and to the periosteum (connective tissue cover) of the alveolar base

- lies b/w the free gingiva and alveolar mucosa

- in health, its coral pink in color

where the attached gingiva ends

- where the gingiva meets the alveolar mucosa

movement of calibrated probe around the perimeter of the base of a sulcus or pocket

- begins at the sulcus and the tip is kept against the tooth surface

- inserted until resistance of JE (soft feeling)

- move the probe up and down in 1 mm increments

- pressure exerted should be 10 to 20 grams

- probe must be parallel to long axis

- used when two adjacent teeth are in contact

1) walk in b/w the teeth and not the contact area itself

2) slant tip until reaches contact area

measurement of the depth of a sulcus or periodontal pocket

- by measuring distance from gingival margin to base of sulcus or pocket w/ probe

where the probing depth measurements are recorded

- recording at 6 sites per tooth (DF, F, MF, DL, L, ML)

- one reading per site

- round measurements to next higher whole number

1) distofacial line to midline of distal surface

2) facial surface

3) mesiofacial line to midline of mesial surface

4) distolingual line to midline of distal surface

5) lingual surface

6) mesiolingual line to midline of mesial surface

assessment instrument with a flexible wirelike working-end

- ability to surface irregularities like calculus, decalcified and carious lesions, dental anomalies, grooves, curvatures and root functions

- used to detect the texture and character of tooth surfaces before, during and after periodontal debridement 

ex. periodontal probes and explorers 

- used to determine the health of the periodontal tissues, tooth anatomy and texture of tooth surfaces

the working end is 1 to 2 mm in length

-its actually in the SIDE of the explorer and not the actual point

section of the shank nearest to the explorer tip

- important visual clue when positioning the instrument

used for 

1) supragingival examination for dental caries and irregular margins of restorations

ex. 23 and 54 explorers

1) examine supragingival dental caries and irregular margins of restorations

ex. 6, 6A, 6I and 6XL

1) for calculus detection in normal sulci or shallow pockets

ex. 3 and 3A

1) use for calculus detection in normal sulci or shallow pockets extending no deeper than the cervical-third of the root

ex. 3ML, 3CH and 2A

1) bent at 90 degree angle to the lower shank to allow the back of hte tip to be directed against the tissue

2) for assessment of anterior root surfaces and facial and lingual surface of posterior teeth

ex. 17, 20F and TU17

1) 90 degree angle to lower shank

2) assess root surfaces on anterior and posterior teeth

ex. ODU 11/12 and 11/12 AF

assessment stroke

( exploratory stroke)

detect calculus deposits or other tooth surface irregularities

calculus

(tartar)

- located coronal to the gingival margin

- large and irregularly shaped

- difficult to detect it wet because blends in with tooth enamel

- white or beige in color

- hidden beneath the gingival margin within the gingival sulcus or periodontal pocket

- are flattened in shape because of pressure of pocket against the tooth

- brown or black in color

tiny remnants of calculus located on the surface of a tooth root

an isolated, minute particle or speck of calculus

commonly found under contact areas, at line angles and at the midline line of a tooth

a long ridge of calculus running parallel to the gingival margin; common on all tooth surfaces

decayed area on the tooth crown or root

types:

1) enamel caries

2) root caries

3) pit and fissure caries

4) smooth surface caries

5) root surface caries

6) recurrent decay