top of page

Periodontal Exam

 

A periodontal exam is performed to evaluate gum health and diagnose infection both past and present.

 

Depending on your condition, the periodontist may call for a limited or full mouth exam. A limited exam pertains to a certain area of the mouth. A patient who receives a limited exam most likely has good standing oral health but their general dentist wanted a specialists opinion on a particular tooth or area of their mouth.

 

A full mouth exam is usually performed on a patient who hasn’t seen a dentist in awhile - we’re talking years. A full mouth exam is important in this case to get a complete overview of the patient’s oral health. 

 

During your periodontal exam, the following may be evaluated: 

 

  • gums,

  • exposed roots,

  • cheeks,

  • tongue,

  • roof of mouth,

  • bite alignment, and

  • plaque.

 

Your periodontist will use a dental instrument called a periodontal probe. It has a long, narrow head that’s blunted at the tip and has black marks along it. Essentially, it’s a measuring stick. The narrow, blunted head allows your dentist to check for gaps - better known as pockets - between your gums and teeth. The black marks helps your dentist figure out how deep the pockets are. 

 

Based on the results of your examination, your periodontist will make a diagnosis and may recommend you make an appointment for periodontal treatment. Keep in mind, the more pockets you have and the deeper they are will require more intense treatment.

bottom of page