Diagnosis

Periodontal disease is commonly diagnosed by your periodontal dentist or a dental hygienist during a periodontal examination. This type of exam should be part of your dental checkup.

During this examination, your periodontal dentist or dental hygienist can tell you if you have periodontal disease.

A periodontal probe is used to gently and precisely measure the sulcus. The sulcus is a name for the pocket or space between your teeth and the gums. The depth of a healthy sulcus measures approximately three millimeters or less and does not bleed. The periodontal probe can be used to determine if pockets are deeper than 3 millimeters. The pockets tend to get deeper as periodontal disease progresses.

Your periodontal dentist or hygienist will access your gum condition based on a combination of pocket depths, inflammation, amount of bleeding, and tooth mobility. This allows them to make a diagnosis that will fall into one of the categories below:

Gingivitis

The first stage of periodontal disease is called gingivitis. Plaque and its toxins irritate the gums, making them tender, inflammation, and likely to bleed.

Periodontitis

Plaque hardens into calculus (tartar). The gums begin to fall from the teeth as plaque and calculus continue to build up. Deeper pockets can form between the gums and teeth and become filled with bacteria and pus. The gums begin to bleed easily and become very irritated. There may be slight to moderate loss of bone.

Advanced Periodontitis

As the gums, bone, and periodontal ligament are destroyed, the teeth lose more support. The teeth that are affected may be lost unless they are treated. There may be moderate to severe bone loss present.

Paul Corcoran, DDS offer a wide range of dental services including periodontal dentist and gingivitis gums treatment in eagle CO