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.