Periodontal disease can be diagnosed by Dr. Weyman during a periodontal examination. This type of exam should always be part of your regular dental check-up.
A periodontal probe (small dental instrument) is gently used to measure the sulcus (pocket or space) between the tooth and the gums. The depth of a healthy sulcus measures three millimeters or less and does not bleed. The periodontal probe helps indicate if pockets are deeper than three millimeters. As periodontal disease progresses, the pockets usually get deeper.
Dr. Weyman will use pocket depths, amount of bleeding, inflammation, tooth mobility, x-ray interpretation to make a diagnosis that will fall into a category below: