Dentaltown July 2013 - (Page 144)

hygiene and prevention perio reports Modified Manual Periodontal Probe Many attempts at automating periodontal probing have been made over the years, however the manual probe is still the one used most often in practice today. Since the manual probe is still the number-one choice of clinicians, researchers at the Tokyo Medical and Dental University in Japan modified a manual probe by attaching a fiber optic sensor to record probing depths. They compared the sensor probe to a standard manual probe for accuracy of measurements. The fiber optic sensor mechanism is an external sheath that covers the manual probe, adding approximately 8mm of length. As the probe is inserted into a sulcus, the sheath is stopped by the gingival margin and slides back as the probe moves forward. A spring-loaded mechanism is used as the sheath slides back. The sliding distance is detected by the fiber optic sensor and transmitted by cable to a personal computer outside the mouth. This pilot study compared probing and bleeding scores on six individuals with moderate to severe periodontitis. Six measurements per tooth were recorded around the first molar in each quadrant. Measurements were repeated one week later for comparison. Averaging all probing scores together, the manual probe score was 3.03mm and the fiber optic probe was 3.08mm. In pockets 7mm or deeper, the fiber optic probe scores were not as deep as the manual probe. This may be due to pressure buildup on the gingival margin, pushing the margin down, thus giving a shallower reading. Clinical Implications: New options might become available that modify manual probes rather than creating automated probes. n Perio Reports Vol. 25, No. 7 Perio Reports provides easy-to-read research summaries on topics of specific interest to clinicians. Perio Reports research summaries will be included in each issue to keep you on the cutting edge of dental hygiene science. t www.hygienetown.com Ishihata, k., Wakabayashi, N., Wadachi, J., Akizuki, T., Izumi, Y., Takakuda, K., Igarashi Y.: Reproducibility of Probing Depth Measurement by an Experimental Periodontal Probe Incorporating Optical Fiber. J Perio 83:(2)222-227, 2011. Interdental Brush Provides Patient Self-test and Plaque Removal Gingival bleeding can be assessed between the teeth, professionally using a periodontal probe, or by the patient using a triangular-shaped wooden stick moved in and out from facial to lingual four times. Self-assessment by patients of their own gingival health provides them with feedback and a means of cleaning between the teeth. Researchers at the University of Zürich in Switzerland compared periodontal probing to the use of an interdental brush to determine if the information about bleeding, plaque and gingivitis was similar. The test subjects were 64 consecutive patients being seen for their semi-annual periodontal maintenance visit with the dental hygienist. All had gingival inflammation with at least 50 percent papillary height and no pocket depths exceeding 4mm. All four quadrants were tested, half with the probe inserted 2mm into the gingival sulcus and the other half with one pass through with an interdental brush. Rather than using the probe on one side of the mouth and the interdental brush on the other side of the mouth, contralateral quadrants were assigned. Randomly assigned quadrants were either the maxillary right and the mandibular left or the maxillary left and the mandibular right. The presence or absence of both plaque and bleeding were recorded. Average bleeding scores were similar for the sites measured with the periodontal probe and the sites tested with the interdental brush. Scores were 47 percent for the periodontal probe and 46 percent for the interdental brush. Clinical Implications: Correctly sized interdental brushes can be used as a reliable self-test for interproximal bleeding. n Hofer, D, Sahrmann, P., Attin, T., Schmidlin, P.: Comparison of Marginal Bleeding Using a Periodontal Probe or an Interdental Brush as Indicators of Gingivitis. Int J Dent Hyg 9:(3)211-215, 2010. 144 JULY 2013 » dentaltown.com http://www.hygienetown.com http://www.dentaltown.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dentaltown July 2013

Dentaltown.com Highlights
Howard Speaks: Quit Rambling On
Professional Courtesy: New Patients with Baggage
Second Opinion: Radiation Minimization – “Are We There Yet?”
Is Anyone Really Cementing e.max with RMGI?
Please Critique My “Breakaway” Office Design
Surely People Don’t Die from Tooth Decay?
Townie Choice Awards Preview: Dentistry’s Official Gear Guide
Corporate Profile: Gendex
What’s On Your Tray? Endodontics
Product Profile: Synergy
Do-it-Yourself Finance, Part VIII: It’s Retirement Time! How Do I Get My Money?
Dental Education by Circuit Training
Everyday Dentistry with CAD/CAM and Lithium Disilicate
Ad Index
Maximizing Anterior Design for Predictable Results in a Six-unit Anterior Makeover
In This Issue: Dental Hygiene Diagnosis
Perio Reports
Continuing Education Periodontal Probes: An Overview of History, Evolution and Clinical Technique
Dentally Incorrect

Dentaltown July 2013