A periodontal probe is a tool used to diagnose gum disease by measuring the depth of pockets between teeth and gums. Dental hygienists often use them, and they come in different styles and must be sterilized between patients.
A periodontal probe is a tool used to aid in the diagnosis of periodontal disease or gum disease. The probe looks like a long, shiny metal rod whose needle-like tip is marked with tiny lines. This tip serves as a measuring tool. A dental hygienist will glide this tool into the area, or pocket, between a tooth and surrounding gums or gum tissue. The depth of each pocket is then measured by reading the tiny marks along the probe.
Periodontal disease is determined, in part, by the readings taken by a periodontal probe. It’s difficult to diagnose the severity of gum disease without poking through each tooth to check the extent of damaged tissue. For this reason, the periodontal probe is sometimes called a periodontal explorer. In general, the further the probe gets into the pockets between the tooth and the gums, the more severe the gum disease or gingivitis is in that area. This is also typically a place where the gums bleed when brushing the teeth.
When performing a routine dental exam and cleaning, it is the dental hygienist who usually sees a patient first. Dental hygienists are professionals who may even know more about evaluating gum disease than dentists. The hygienist will insert the explorer or periodontal probe into each dental pocket and then record these measurements, which represent the depth in millimeters (mm) that the periodontal probe sinks into each pocket before contacting solid, healthy tissue.
The sight of a periodontal probe approaching the mouth might be intimidating to some patients, especially young children. Many dental professionals are aware of this and have adapted their practices to the needs of family dentistry. Sometimes, allowing a patient, especially a child, to touch a periodontal probe and see that the sharp tip is actually only a meter long can ease the anxiety surrounding the exam. However, the demo model should not be used during the exam to ensure sterility.
Periodontal probes come in a variety of styles and are made by many different manufacturers. Dentists and hygienists often use the brand and style that do the job adequately and also meet the comfort needs of the patients. Dental probes and explorers are made of stainless or surgical steel and must be sterilized between patients. Sterilization of dental instruments is usually done using an autoclave, a small appliance that uses intensely heated steam to kill microorganisms.
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