Proper use of the periodontal probe - Accuracy is maintained by placing the probe with light pressure of 10-20 grams into the gingival sulcus. - The probe should be kept parallel to the contours of the tooth root. - Insert the probe down to the base of the pocket. - The first visible marking above the pocket indicates the pocket depth measurement. - Pocket depths greater than 3mm can indicate attachment loss or gingival hyperplasia.

Other uses of the periodontal probe - It can measure dental instruments, tooth preparations, gingival recession, attached gingiva, and oral lesions. - Bleeding on probing (BoP) can occur and is a clinical sign of active periodontal disease. - Smoking can reduce gingival bleeding. - Different types of periodontal probes have different markings for measurements. - The Nabers probe is used for measuring the furcation area between tooth roots.

Types of periodontal probes - The Michigan O probe has markings at 3mm, 6mm, and 8mm. - The Williams probe has circumferential lines at 1mm, 2mm, 3mm, 5mm, 7mm, 8mm, 9mm, and 10mm. - The PCP12 probe with Marquis markings has alternating shades every 3mm. - The Nabers probe is curved and used for measuring furcation areas. - Each type of probe has its own way of indicating measurements on the tip.

References - Wilkins, 1999. - Illustrated Dental Embryology, Histology, and Anatomy, Bath-Balogh and Fehrenbach, Elsevier, 2011. - Ramachandra, S. S.; Mehta, D. S.; Sandesh, N.; Baliga, V.; Amarnath, J. (2011). Periodontal probing systems: A review of available equipment. - Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry, 32(2), 71–77. - Summit, James B., J. William Robbins, and Richard S. Schwartz. Fundamentals of Operative Dentistry: A Contemporary Approach. 2nd edition. Carol Stream, Illinois, Quintessence Publishing Co, Inc, 2001.

Additional references - Wilkins, Esther M. Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist. 8th edition. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 1999. - Hefti AF. Periodontal probing. Crit Rev Oral Biol Med. 1997;8(3):336-56. - Ramachandra SS, Mehta DS, Sandesh N, Baliga V, Amarnath J. Periodontal probing systems: a review of available equipment. Compend Contin Educ Dent. 2011 Mar;32(2):71-7. - Capnocytophaga sp. - Preston D. Miller, Willoughby D. Miller, Carl E. Misch, John Mankey Riggs, Jay Seibert, Jørgen Slots, Paul Roscoe Stillman, Dennis P. Tarnow, Hom-Lay Wang, James Leon Williams, W. J. Younger.