Periodontal charting
Periodontal charting
Periodontal probing is an essential part of screening and management for all patients. It is carried out during simple screening for a BPE, comprehensive periodontal charting to diagnose problem areas in those with periodontitis, and after treatment has been carried out to assess the patient’s response.
Different situations have different charting requirements. This tool has been designed to clarify which approach is appropriate in each situation.
Basic Periodontal Examination (BPE)
This is a basic examination which gives limited information about the periodontal status and helps to determine what treatment may be required.
Unfortunately, BPE does not reveal if a patient has periodontal disease, merely if pocketing, bleeding, plaque or calculus are present.
The diagnosis of Periodontitis depends on identifying if periodontal bone loss is present or not and BPE screening cannot do that.
Comprehensive periodontal charting
If more information is needed, for example to complete the diagnosis of periodontitis or during treatment and review, a comprehensive periodontal charting should be carried out.
During 6-point pocket charting the following parameters can be examined and recorded:
- Bleeding (and/or suppuration) on probing from the base of the periodontal pocket
- Probing depth
- Gingival recession
- Furcation involvement
- Tooth mobility
- Clinical attachment loss
Current good practice suggests that this traditional “full” 6-point pocket charting is not required after a diagnosis is established and when a patient is on periodontal review.
Two different levels of comprehensive periodontal charting, dependant on the situation, are proposed in this guidance; baseline periodontal charting and review periodontal charting. Advice on the assessment and recording requirements for each charting approach are detailed in the sections below.