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Screening for Periodontal Disease

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The purpose of screening is early diagnosis and treatment. Screening tests are usually administered to people without current symptoms, but who may be at high risk for certain diseases or conditions.

Screening Tests

  • Dental exam—Your dentist will perform a careful survey of the appearance of your gums, check each tooth for looseness, and use a probe to identify and measure any spaces, known as pockets, between your gums and teeth. If you have periodontal disease, these pockets will measure more than 3 mm in depth.
  • Dental x-ray —This type of x-ray may reveal whether or not the bones that support your teeth show signs of deterioration. Evidence of bone loss around teeth is one of the signs of more advanced periodontal disease.

Screening Guidelines

According to the American Dental Association, you should have a regular dental checkup every six months. Screening for periodontal disease should be part of every regular dental examination.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

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References

  • American Academy of Periodontology. Gum disease: what you need to know. American Academy of Periodontology website. Available at: http://www.perio.org/consumer/gum-disease.htm . Updated June 2010. Accessed July 25, 2010.

  • American Dental Association. Periodontal (gum) diseases. American Dental Association website. Available at: http://www.ada.org/ . Updated March 2005. Accessed July 25, 2010.

  • National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Periodontal (gum) disease. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research website. Available at: http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/DataStatistics/FindDataByTopic/GumDisease/ . Updated March 2010. Accessed July 25, 2010.