Dental probing, often called periodontal charting, is a routine procedure during a comprehensive dental check-up. This examination provides a detailed map of your gums, helping dental professionals assess the health of the supporting tissues and detect issues not visible during a standard visual inspection. The numbers called out during this process are millimetric measurements, which offer an objective measure of your gum health.
The Purpose of Periodontal Probing
The main purpose of periodontal probing is to measure the depth of the space where the gum meets the tooth, known as the gingival sulcus. In a healthy mouth, the sulcus is shallow, representing a secure attachment between the gum and the tooth surface. When bacterial plaque and tartar accumulate, the gum tissue becomes inflamed, causing the attachment to weaken and the sulcus to deepen. This deeper space is known as a periodontal pocket, which allows bacteria to flourish. The procedure uses a specialized periodontal probe, a tiny, blunt-tipped ruler marked in millimeters.
The dental professional gently inserts the probe into the pocket to measure the distance from the gumline to the base of the tissue attachment. This measurement is recorded to determine if the tissue is merely inflamed (gingivitis) or if there has been actual loss of the bone and supporting structures (periodontitis). Tracking these depths over time is a reliable method for monitoring the progression of gum disease and the effectiveness of treatment.
What to Expect During the Probing
During the periodontal probing, you will hear the dental hygienist or dentist calling out a series of numbers, which they record into your chart. The procedure involves measuring six distinct points around every tooth: three on the front (buccal or facial) surface and three on the back (lingual) surface.
The dental professional gently inserts the probe using a light, walking motion to cover the entire circumference of the tooth’s base. You may feel a slight pressure as the probe reaches the base of the pocket. While the procedure should not be painful in a healthy mouth, inflamed gums may cause some discomfort or tenderness during the measurement.
Another observation made during the process is whether the gum tissue bleeds when probed. This finding, known as “bleeding on probing” (BOP), is noted alongside the numerical depth. The combination of depth and bleeding provides a complete picture of the gum tissue’s health status at each location.
Interpreting the Probing Numbers
The numbers called out during the probing directly correspond to the pocket depth in millimeters. Measurements from 1 to 3 millimeters are considered healthy, indicating a shallow, secure gum attachment with no active disease. A depth of 4 to 5 millimeters suggests early to moderate periodontal disease or significant gingival inflammation. Pockets in this range often require a more intensive cleaning procedure, such as scaling and root planing, to remove deep-seated bacteria. If the measurement is 6 millimeters or greater, this signifies advanced periodontal disease, often requiring aggressive intervention to prevent bone loss and potential tooth loss.
It is important to consider the bleeding on probing (BOP) alongside the numerical depth. Even a shallow pocket of 1 to 3 millimeters that bleeds is a sign of inflammation (gingivitis) caused by bacterial irritation. Conversely, a deeper pocket without bleeding may indicate a stable, previously treated area that is currently not inflamed. The goal of dental treatment is to reduce these pocket depths and eliminate bleeding.