When it comes to gum probing, many people worry that it will be an uncomfortable experience. It is true that if the gums are inflamed or the technique used is too harsh, it can be painful. However, there are ways to make the process more comfortable. For instance, using a small amount of topical anesthetic in the groove can help ease any discomfort.
Ultracare (Ultradent Products) or Cetacaine (Cetylite Industries) are two good options for this. Additionally, plastic tipped probes are usually more comfortable than metal probes, especially if there are hypersensitive root surfaces. It is important to be mindful of the pressure applied when probing, as too much pressure can pierce the ridge of the attachment in the connective tissue. Periodontal mapping is a practice used by dentists to measure the distance between the gums and where they attach to the teeth. This is done by using a periodontal probe.
Bacteria causes gums to swell and inflammation causes gum tissue to separate from nearby teeth. To reduce any discomfort during this process, two local anesthetic gels (10% lidocaine and 20% benzocaine) can be used. This helps to alleviate any fear that people may have about receiving critical dental care. In some cases, such as after dental surgery or bone grafting, using a periodontal probe is not recommended as there is a risk of pushing bacteria into the gums. To avoid this, a device called a dental explorer can be used instead.
This was invented by a hygienist and allows them to probe and record readings with their foot. The main reason dentists examine gums is to check for gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. To evaluate the efficacy of two local anesthetic gels in reducing pain during periodontal probing with Florida tube in patients with PGC compared to manual probing, quadrants were randomly assigned to manual probing with UNC-15 probe, Florida probe probing, and Florida probing with 10% lidocaine gel and 20% benzocaine gel. By obtaining the results in this manner, each patient effectively acted as their own control, producing four separate VAS scores to probe in each of the quadrants explored. In conclusion, gum probing does not have to be an unpleasant experience. By using topical anesthetics and being mindful of pressure applied when probing, discomfort can be minimized.
Additionally, dental explorers can be used instead of periodontal probes in certain situations where there is a risk of pushing bacteria into the gums.
