Interactive Periodontal Probing Covina, CA

Periodontal Charting

Periodontal charting is a part of a patient’s dental or gum chart that indicates the state of the teeth and mouth’s health. A periodontal chart includes six measurements (in millimeters) that are taken around each tooth. The main reason for periodontal charting is checking for periodontal disease, but it is also beneficial to check for many other oral and systemic health concerns.

What It Reveals

The chart is a pictorial representation of the mouth and includes graphics and information pertaining to the tests conducted during the first appointment. Healthline provides the conditions and issues that a periodontal test and chart reveal:

• areas of decay (cavities)
• missing teeth
• depths of your gum pockets, bleeding points during probing, and gum recession
• abnormalities in your teeth, such as rotations, erosion, or abrasions in your teeth or enamel
• damage to your teeth
• presence of crowns, bridges, implants, and fillings
• attachment of your teeth to the gums
• any movement in your teeth
• any bleeding in your gums

Risk Assessment That Dentist Makes

Periodontal probing and charting allow dentists to assess a patient’s risk of acquiring periodontal disease as well as other oral and systemic diseases. A Journal of Periodontology study on risk factors explains: "risk factors may be broadly categorized as: Systemic risk factors - factors that affect the host response to the plaque biofilm, upsetting the host-microbial balance; and Local risk factors - factors local to the oral cavity, which may influence plaque accumulation or occlusal forces." A periodontal chart reveals which factors are in play and their causes.

Risk assessments classify risks in terms of risk factors, risk indicators, and risk predictors. Risk factors include age, tobacco use, diabetes, stress, genetics, pregnancy, cardiovascular diseases, and poor oral hygiene. Risk indicators indicate whether visible risk factors, such as the presence of herpes viruses in subgingival plaque, are cause of an oral or systemic condition. Risk predictors are factors that have no current biological causing agent but have been associated with disease. For example, the number of missing teeth is a risk predictor for disease but may not indicate current periodontitis.

Who Should Receive Periodontal Testing

Although some people may be more at risk than others in terms of acquiring periodontal disease, the American Academy of Periodontology recommends all adults receive annual screenings. A Comprehensive Periodontal Evaluation, or CPE, assesses the patient’s periodontal health by examining their teeth, amount of plaque, gums, bite, bone structure, and risk factors. Periodontal testing and the CPE are often done during the initial appointment.

Patients who are at high risk of developing periodontal disease may be asked to undergo testing more than once a year. Factors that contribute to high-risk include:

• Gingivitis
• Poor oral health habits
• Smoking or chewing tobacco
• Hormonal changes, such as those related to pregnancy or menopause
• Recreational drug use, such as smoking marijuana or vaping
• Obesity
• Inadequate nutrition, including vitamin C deficiency
• Genetics
• Certain medications that cause dry mouth or gum changes
• Conditions that cause decreased immunity, such as leukemia, HIV/AIDS and cancer treatment
• Certain diseases, such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease