Dentaltown July 2015 - (Page 32)

periodontics feature Probing Systems That Can Make a Difference In Your Practice by Jill Coon, RDH 32 JULY 2015 // dentaltown.com A s a registered dental hygienist, I probe a patient's teeth and gums at every cleaning and periodontal maintenance appointment. Probing the oral structures allows us to detect and measure periodontal pocketing and defects, attachment loss, location of calculus buildup, and recession. Measuring pocket depths at every recall appointment can also help with diagnosing and treating systemic changes and conditions before expensive or invasive solutions are necessary. This allows hygienists to make a positive difference in the lives of our patients, and also make a difference in the practice as well, by treating and educating the patient. Generational differences Manual probes are considered first- and second-generation probes. The first probe, invented in 1936 by Charles H.M. Williams, has thin markings at graduated levels that allow the clinician to easily measure pockets and other structures. However, the use of a manual probe has its limitations. Generally, a hygienist will need a second person to write down the pocket depths. This takes an assistant or a front-desk person away from his or her other duties. In addition, different practitioners probe at different angles and pressures, creating the possibility of differing or conflicting probing depths. Also, a first-generation probe is not pressure-sensitive, while second-generation probes were created to fix this problem. However, neither first- nor second-generation probes could fix reading or calculation errors. The third-generation probes, known as automated probes, were developed to prevent such discrepancies. Examples of these probes and their related systems follow. http://www.dentaltown.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dentaltown July 2015

On Dentaltown.com
Howard Speaks: The Sweetest Taboo
Professional Courtesy: Power Through Participation
Continuing Education Update
Digital Impressions
Tips for Hiring New Team Members
Probing Systems That can Make a Difference in Your Practice
The Six Ways Staff Incentives are Revolutionizing the Dental Industry
A Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation Case
4th of July Emergency
Orthodontic Treatment in the General Dentistry Office
Industry News
TRIBUTE: DR. JOE STEVEN JR. The Story of a Legend, and the Legacy He Left Behind
TRIBUTE: DR. JOE STEVEN JR. Maybe We Should Ban Amalgam … a Profession Divided
TRIBUTE: DR. JOE STEVEN JR. Where are the Olives in Your Practice?
Why Mobile-First Really Means User-First
Continuing Education: Past, Present and Future Trends in Today’s Implantology
Airway Health: Dentistry’s Role in the Hidden Key to Wellness
Product Profi le: Accutron
Staff Pay and Rewards
The Whys and Hows of Adult Sedation Dentistry
A Review of “Uncomplicate Business”
Townie Choice Awards Product Showcase
Poll
Going the Extra Mile in Marketing
Ad Index
e.max—Matching a Dark Central
Product Profi le: Synergy
Dentally Incorrect

Dentaltown July 2015