Periodontal Disease Diagnosis
A periodontal probe (small dental instrument) is gently used to measure the sulcus or “pocket” depth between the tooth and the gums. You may have heard your dentist calling off numbers (2, 3, 4, 3, 5 etc.) during your exam. These numbers relate to the depth of the pocket space and are measured in millimeters. The depth of a healthy sulcus measures 3 millimeters or less and does not bleed. As periodontal disease progresses, the supporting bone pockets get deeper due to advancing bone loss and the pocket depths increase as well. When gum disease progresses and there is greater inflammation, then the gums can bleed and be uncomfortable. Pocketing less than 3mm can be normally cleaned without discomfort, but when pocketing gets more than 5mm then the gums may need to be numbed to properly clean the teeth. For cases of severe gum disease, there are regenerative therapies that can re-grow the lost bone support around teeth.
When diagnosing gum disease, the Littleton and Aurora periodontists and hygienists at Periodontal Associates will use pocket depths, amount of bleeding, inflammation, tooth mobility, etc., to make a diagnosis that will fall into a category below:
Gingivitis
Periodontitis
Staging and Grading
Useful Links
- Periodontal Disease and Diabetes
- Periodontal Disease, Heart Disease and Stroke
- Signs & Symptoms of Periodontal Disease
- Periodontal Disease and Osteoporosis
- Periodontal Disease and Pregnancy
- Periodontal Disease and Respiratory Disease
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Maintenance
- Mouth – Body Connection
- Causes of Periodontal Disease
- Types of Periodontal Disease
Diagnosis of Gum Disease in Aurora and Littleton
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2900 South Peoria Street Building D.
Aurora, CO 80014
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26 W Dry Creek Circle
#300
Littleton, CO 80120
Hours
Mon - Fri: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sat, Sun: Closed