Periodontal Assessment: Periodontal Probing Technique and CAL

Question 1

Identify the millimeter markings on the williams probe

Answer 1

millimeter grooves at 1-10 mm (4 & 6 are missing to avoid confusion)

Question 2

Identify the millimeter markings on the UNC-12 and UNC-15 probes

Answer 2

UNC-12: markings at each millimeter, color-coated at 4 and 9 mm
UNC-15: markings at each millimeter, color-coated at 4, 9, and 14 mm

Question 3

Identify the millimeter markings on the World Health Organization Probe

Answer 3

Has ball on end, markings at 3.5, 5.5, 8.5, and 11.5 mm (goes to 16mm)

Question 4

Identify the millimeter markings on the Goldman Fox probe

Answer 4

Flat, grooves at 1-10 mm (4 and 6 are missing)

Question 5

Identify the millimeter markings on the Novatech probe

Answer 5

Markings at 3, 6, 9, 12

Question 6

Identify the millimeter markings on a plastic probe

Answer 6

3, 5, 7, 10

Question 7

What is the gingival sulcus?

Answer 7

A shallow, v-shaped space between the free gingiva and the tooth surface

Question 8

What is the gingival margin?

Answer 8

Where the free gingiva meets the tooth in a thin rounded edge

Question 9

What is the junctional epithelium?

Answer 9

The tissue that forms the base of the sulcus by attaching to the enamel of the crown near the CEJ

Question 10

What is the depth of a clinically normal gingival sulcus?

Answer 10

1-3 mm

Question 11

What surfaces has the least amount of depth?

Answer 11

The facial surfaces

Question 12

What surface is the deepest?

Answer 12

The mesial and distal surfaces

Question 13

What is peridontitis and how is it identified clinically?

Answer 13

• Bacterial infection of all parts of the peridontium.

- The presence of a periodontal pocket (sulcus that is greater than 3mm)

Question 14

What is a gingival pocket?

Answer 14

Deepening of the gingival sulcus.

Question 15

What causes a gingival pocket?

Answer 15

1. Detachment of the coronal portion of the JE from the tooth
2. Increased tissue size due to swelling

Question 16

What is a pseudo-pocket?

Answer 16

The gingival tissue swelling resulting in an increased probing depth (from gingivitis)

Question 17

What is the deeper probing depth of a periodontal pocket caused from?

Answer 17

Apical migration of the JE

Question 18

How many zones per tooth is there? What are they?

Answer 18

1. Distofacial
2. Facial
3. Mesiofacial
4. Distolingual
5. Lingual
6. Mesiolingual

Question 19

How many readings per zone?

Answer 19

Only one and always the deepest reading

Question 20

What is the probing depth?

Answer 20

Distance in millimeters from the gingival margin to the base of the sulcus or periodontal pocket

Question 21

Explain insert and adaption of the periodontal probe

Answer 21

Once the probe is inserted, the working-end is kept PARALLEL and FLAT to the root surface

Question 22

What is the walking stroke?

Answer 22

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

Question 23

It is essential to evaluate the entire ____________ of the pocket base

Answer 23

Circumference

Question 24

Explain what you’re doing in the walking stroke

Answer 24

Move the probe up and down in short bobbing stroke while moving in 1 mm increments

Question 25

The probe is removed from the sulcus with each upward stroke. True or false?

Answer 25

False: the probe is NOT removed