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| Dental Examinations |  Methodical exams to check the health of your teeth and gums and habitual cleanings to get rid of plaque and tartar are inherent for a healthy mouth. For the majority of people, visiting the dentist and hygienist two times a year is all that is required. Nevertheless, a pregnant woman or a person with periodontal disease in the family might need to see dentist more often.
Periodontal Screening
Nowadays, in many dentists’ offices, a periodontal screening is included along with the cleaning and checking for cavities. Get to know whether your dentist performs this screening. In case when he or she doesn’t, ask if you have symptoms that may point out that you should have one performed. This examination is known as a Periodontal Screening and Recording (PSR). It can disclose the early phases of periodontal disease.
The dentist checks for bleeding gums and pockets with the help of a mirror and a special calibrated probe. If a pocket is uncovered, the dentist measures its deepness by putting the tip of the probe inside the pocket down to where the connective tissue attaches to the tooth. Pocket deepness greater than 3 millimeters indicate disease; deepness larger than 4 millimeters indicate periodontitis.
A new automatic probing device may confirm to be more sensitive and accurate than the manual probe most dentists use. After the screening, the dentist writes down where pockets were recognized, how deep they were, where the gum appeared inflamed or injured, and which teeth were loose. If the state is harsh, the dentist may refer the patient to a periodontist for treatment. Although PSR occurs to be more reliable than X-rays in diagnosing gum disease, it is still suggested that you receive a full series of mouth X-rays every two to three years, not only to discover early bone loss but also to find cavities or fractures in the teeth.
Confirming a Diagnosis of Gum Disease
Your first visit to a periodontist to confirm a diagnosis of periodontal disease will be alike to the screening your regular dentist did. The periodontist will ask questions about your medical history and the drugs you take. The answers will disclose if you have had previous periodontal problems and whether there is any condition that might lead to your problem. Besides, the dentist might ask you about how you care for your teeth and gums. Next, the gums are inspected methodically for signs of inflammation, redness, puffiness, bleeding upon probing and recession of the gums. The periodontist may carry out another PSR to measure pockets and check for tooth mobility. When the stage and extent of the disease has been established, he or she will design a treatment.
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