Dental Health Magazine Dental Health Digital Issue | Page 33

Issue #5, March 2017
Basic Periodontal
Examination
VI. the lower left first premolar to the
lower left second molar
probe along the gum margin of all the
teeth in each section mentioned above.
Your dentist will then give a score for
Or, as shown below;
each section in the mouth based on
The BPE method was first introduced the findings following the probing. This
in 1986 by the British Society of procedure is generally painless as only
Periodontology. It is a simple but rapid light pressure is used for this procedure.
“screening tool”, used to obtain a basic
outline of the severity of periodontal
disease in patients to determine route
to be carried out for a proper diagnosis. Preventing
periodontal
disease
Method It is important to practice good oral
When doing a BPE, your dentist classifies Proper oral hygiene, including regular
your teeth into six sections, namely: brushing and performing interdental
of treatment. It is, however, insufficient in
providing a specific diagnosis. Thus for
severe cases, further investigations need
hygiene to ensure a healthy lifestyle.
cleaning such as flossing or interdental
I. the upper right second molar to the
brushing is usually sufficient in
upper right first premolar
II. the upper right canine to the upper
prevention of periodontal disease.
Wisdom teeth are excluded in carrying However, it is also important to be
out this examination. aware of risk factors such as smoking
left canine
III. the upper left first premolar to the
upper left second molar
and uncontrolled diabetes which may
Using a special probe called a CPITN worsen periodontal disease progression.
or WHO probe, your dentist will then Most importantly going for regular dental
insert the probe into the space between check-ups and asking your dentist for a
the gums and the tooth and walk the BPE will allow for early detection and
IV. the lower right second molar to the
treatment of periodontal disea se.
lower right first premolar
V. the lower right canine to the lower
left canine
Your scores and what they mean
SCORE
*Source: Basic periodontal examination
(http://www.bsperio.org.uk/publications/
downloads/94_154250_bpe-2016-po-v5-fi-
nal-002.pdf)
ACTION
0 No action is required
1 Oral hygiene instruction is given to teach you how to
remove plaque which has induced gingivitis
2 Oral hygiene instruction, removal of plaque retentive
factors (e.g. removal of calculus or tartar on tooth surface
by performing scaling)
3 Oral hygiene instruction, removal of plaque retentive
factors and root surface debridement (cleaning of tartar on
the root surface below the gums).
4 Similar to (3). The need for further treatment will be
assessed and you may be referred to a periodontist
(gum specialist).
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