Histological determination of probe tip penetration into gingival sulcus of humans using an electronic pressure‐sensitive probe

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to determine histologically the depth of probe tip penetration into the clinically healthy gingival sulcus of humans using a controlled inserton pressure of 25 g. The midfacial gingival units of 22 maxillary and mandibular incisor, canine and premolar teeth, displaying no visual signs of inflammation, were used for probing determinations. An electronic pressure-sensitive probe, with a terminal probe tip diameter of 0.35 mm, was used to standardize insertion pressures. After insertion of the probe into the sulcus, it was then aligned on the facial surface of the gingiva with the tip corresponding to the depth and location of probe insertion. A horizontal reference incision was made on the facial gingival surface which corresponded to the depth of the sulcus probed. This incision served as a histologic landmark of probe tip generation. Gingival biopsies were taken, and step-serial sections analyzed histologically and histometrically. Probe tip penetration was coronal to the apical end of the junctional epithelium in all cases (mean = 0.25 mm). In addition, probe tip penetration was always apical to the coronal end of the junctional epithelium (mean = 0.70 mm).

Crevicular Fluid Growth Factors Release Profile Following the Use of Platelet‐Rich Fibrin and Plasma Rich Growth Factors in Treating Periodontal Intrabony Defects: A Randomized Clinical Trial

“…Criteria used to confirm that surgery was indicated included: 1) the persistence of an interproximal site with PD ≥6 mm; 2) CAL ≥5 mm; and 3) interproximal IBD depth ≥3 mm. Using an acrylic stent, baseline periodontal disease status of selected sites was measured by clinical evaluation of: 1) plaque index (PI); 17 2) gingival index (GI); 18 3) PD (distance from base of pocket to gingival margin [GM]); 19 and 4) CAL (distance from base of pocket to cemento‐enamel junction [CEJ]) 20 . Clinical measurements were recorded using a probe ‖ .…”

Periodontal Probing

“…Untreated teeth were compared with teeth that were treated until measurements indicated stabilization and no further improvement of periodontal conditions. To apply the standardized probing force of 0.50 N, they used an electronic pressure-sensitive device (Polson et al, 1980) with a probing tip of 0.4 mm in diameter. Histologic examination determined that, in untreated sites, the probe tip progressed 0.45 ± 0.34 mm beyond the apical termination of the junctional epithelium and into the subjacent connective tissue.…”

“…Air pressure acted on the piston at defined force levels from 0.1 to 1.5 N, resulting in probing pressures from 0.32 N/mm2 to 4.81 N/mm2. An electronic pressure-sensitive probe was presented by Polson et al (1980). Their instrument consisted of a pen-like handpiece with probe tip and an electronic control unit that allowed the probing force to be set at any level from 0.05 N to 1 N. The allow-able probing force was determined by an electromagnetic force that held an air gap shut until the pre-set probing force was reached, at which point the gap opened and a sound was produced.…”

From manual periodontal probing to digital 3‐D imaging to endoscopic capillaroscopy: Recent advances in periodontal disease diagnosis

“…Constant force periodontal probes have been developed to provide standardized or constant pressure during periodontal pocket depth measurement and decrease measurement variation. They include the first pressure sensitive probe, Armitage et al and van der Velden and de Vries and electronic pressure‐sensitive probe . However, probing errors resulting from data readout, and recording, and estimation of attachment level can be encountered.…”