Admission Test for Dental Hygiene (ATDH) Practice

Which instrument is commonly used for probing in periodontal treatments?

1. Scaling tool

2. Periodontal probe

3. Explorer

4. Curette

The correct answer is: Periodontal probe

The periodontal probe is a specialized instrument designed to measure the depth of periodontal pockets around a tooth. This measurement is crucial in assessing the severity of periodontal disease and the attachment level of the gums to the teeth. Probing involves gently inserting the probe into the sulcus (the space between the gum and the tooth) and noting the depth of any pockets, which can indicate inflammation or damage. The periodontal probe typically features a slender, calibrated measurement shaft, allowing for accurate readings. It is often marked with millimeter increments to provide precise depth measurements. This information guides dental professionals in determining appropriate treatment plans, monitoring disease progression, and evaluating treatment outcomes over time. While other instruments, like scaling tools and curettes, play vital roles in periodontal treatments—primarily for cleaning and debriding—they do not serve the same purpose as the periodontal probe in assessing pocket depth and gum health. The explorer is used to detect caries and other tooth surface irregularities but is not specifically designed for probing periodontal depths.