How Periodontal Test is Performed
Bone Grafting
Before the periodontal test, the dentist will likely review medical and dental histories, identify any factors contributing to symptoms, and examine the mouth. Returning patients who have undergone their initial consultation and regular checkup will have their record on file and does not need to be reviewed. However, we recommend having a thorough examination of the mouth prior to the periodontal test to check for any abnormalities or easy bleeding.
The test is performed by measuring the pocket depth of the grooves between the gums and teeth. We place a dental probe (a very thin, narrow instrument) beside your tooth beneath your gum line and scan over every tooth. According to the Mayo Clinic, the pocket depth in a healthy mouth is usually between 1 and 3 millimeters (mm). Pockets deeper than 4 mm may indicate periodontitis. It is not easy to clean pockets deeper than 5 mm, so we will go over possible options during the appointment. We will record these numbers on a periodontal chart.
"Pockets deeper than 4 mm may indicate periodontitis."
