Figure 6-3. - Walking the periodontal probe around the tooth.
Once the front of the NAVMED 6600/2 is charted, the areas of the back of the form are completed by the dentist. The tentative treatment plan outlines the dentist's recommended treatment for the patient and the sequence in which it is done. The dentist must discuss the diagnosis, prognosis, and tentative treatment plan with the patient. It is up to the patient to accept or decline the recommended treatment. The examining dentist, facility, and dates are on the front page of the NAVMED 6600/2, which becomes a permanent part of the patient’s dental record. After the examination is completed, appointments are arranged with the patient for treatment.
Several instruments are commonly used in periodontal treatment. Among them are probes, scalers, curettes, hoes, files, chisels, and knives. Although we have discussed some of these instruments in other specialties, the instruments discussed here are designed for periodontal use and are somewhat different. Some of the instruments are used for scaling and root planing, while others are used for periodontal surgery.
The periodontal probe is one of the most important instruments used to make a diagnosis and accurately determine the presence, depth, and form of periodontal pockets. An angled shank places the working end at about a 45° angle in relation to the handle. The thin narrow working end is inserted gently to the depth of the periodontal pocket. Calculus may interfere with accurate probing. A periodontal probe is an elongated and tapered instrument that is scored at millimeter intervals on the working end. The scored markings make it easy to determine the depth of the pocket. The markings can range in increments from 1 to 10mm, depending on the type of the probe. Many different types of probes are used. Figure 6-4 illustrates a common periodontal probe
When periodontal disease causes sufficient loss of attachment around multirooted teeth the, interradicular bone (furcation area) may become involved. The presence of gingiva and neighboring teeth frequently prevent accurate probing of the furcation area with the standard periodontal probe. The furcation probe shown in figure 6-5 is a double-ended instrument designed to help determine the extent of the interradicular bone loss.
The term scaling is used to identify the removal of calculus (mineralized plaque) from the surface of a tooth. Scaling can be supragingival (performed by Dental Technicians) or subgingival (performed by a hygienist or a dentist), depending on the location of the
Figure 6-4. - Periodontal probe.
Figure 6-5. - Furcation probe (double-ended).
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