Types of Periodontal probes and their Classification

Periodontal probes are the instruments designed for specific purpose of assessing the periodontal health with clinical techniques. Periodontal probes are used to measure, locate and mark the pockets and also determine their related to each tooth surface. According to Glossary of Periodontal Terms 2001 – A Calibrated Probe is used to measure the depth and determine the configuration of a periodontal pocket. 

Orban in 1958 described the Periodontal probe as “the eye of the operator under the gingival margin”

Probe is a tapered, rod like instrument calibrated in millimeters with a tip, in case of periodontal probe the tip measures 0.5mm. The probe is made up of 3 parts Handle, Shank and Working end. When the probe is inserted into the pocket for examination a firm and gentle pressure to the bottom of the pocket is applied. The shank should be aligned parallel to the long axis of the tooth being examined.

Types of periodontal probes

Types of Periodontal Probes used in Periodontics:

1. Marquis color coded probe: Periodontal probe with markings or Calibrations given in 3mm sections
2. University of Michigan ‘o’ probe: Periodontal instrument with markings – 1,2,3,5,7,8,9,10 mm. markings 4 and 6 are missing in the probe the reason for this is explained below.
3. Michigan ‘o’ probe: Markings are seen at 3,6,8 mm
4. WHO probe (CPITN Probe): The tip of the probe has a 0.5 mm ball at the tip and millimeter markings at 3.5, 8.5 and 11.5 mm and the color codings are 3.5 to 5.5 mm.
5. Williams Probe: It is also called the periodontal probe it is the first probe to be used to assess probing depth of a pocket, it has the following markings – 1,2,3,5,7,8,9,10 mm.
6. UNC-15 Probe: It is a 15 mm long periodontal probe with millimeter markings at each millimeter and color coding at 5 mm, 10 mm and 15 mm
7. Curved Naber’s Probe: It is used for detection of Furcation areas
8. Premier periowise probe:It can be sued for natural/implant teeth. This probe has multicolored codings. Green color codin- 0 to 3 mm and Red color – 3mm to 5mm

“Why are 4 and 6 markings missing is a periodontal probe ?” – In this probe the markings 4 and 6 are missing to decrease confusion in determining the depth of the Pocket. This missing numbers makes it easy for determining the depth of the pocket due to the small size of the markings. And as 5mm pocket depth is considered to the optimum pocket depth which can be managed.

What is the Rationale behind Periodontal Probing:

Detect and measure loss or gain of attachment level  – TO – Determine the extent of previous or ongoing disease activity – AND – Assess the effect of ongoing treatment.