Baseline charting for diagnosis
Baseline charting for diagnosis
Required at baseline (in addition to assessing plaque biofilm levels):
- Assess probing pocket depths and bleeding on probing at 6 points around each tooth.
- Record probing pocket depths at sites of ≥4 mm.
- Record sites which bleed on probing.
- Record sites with furcation involvement.
- Record sites with suppuration.
- Record tooth mobility.
- Record gingival recession, where this is present.
Record any missing teeth.
Measure probing pocket depth, in millimetres, at six sites around each tooth (i.e. mesiobuccal, midbuccal, distobuccal, mesiolingual, midlingual and distolingual). Record probing pocket depth measurements at any sites ≥4 mm, with or without bleeding.
- Use a light probing force, equivalent to the force required to blanch a fingernail (see figure: Probing force).
- ‘Walk’ the probe around the gingival margin of each tooth (see figure: "Walking" the probe) and record measurements for the greatest probing depth at each of the six sites for each tooth.
Record the absence or presence (0 or 1) of bleeding on probing from the base of the pocket (see Bleeding on probing).
Record any suppuration observed when probing.
Record any furcation involvement for multi-rooted teeth, with an indication of the severity (see Measurement of furcation involvement).
Record the degree of tooth mobility or its absence (see Tooth mobility).
Record at least one measure of the greatest extent of gingival recession observed, in millimetres, for both the buccal and lingual surfaces of each tooth (see Measuring gingival recession).
Consider recording any other observations, such as presence of dental caries, occlusal discrepancies or problems with restorations.
Consider whether a radiographic examination to assess alveolar bone levels is appropriate (see Use of radiographs).