Periodontal Probing
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Your dentist uses a probe to assess the health of your gums. Here you can see how the probe works.
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A Healthy Tooth
The probe does not reach very far under the gum. This indicates that the gums around this tooth are firm and healthy.
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Gingivitis
The probe reaches further under the gum into a "periodontal pocket." This shows that the gums are beginning to detach from the tooth. This is caused by gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease.
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Periodontitis
More advanced gum disease has caused the gums to detach further from the tooth. As a result, the probe sinks deeper into the pocket. This stage is called periodontitis.
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Gum and Bone Erosion
The probe depth alone can't tell the whole story. The gums around this tooth are severely diseased. However, the probe doesn't sink as deeply because the gums have eroded. The bone is disappearing, too.
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