RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GINGIVAL INFLAMMATION AND RESISTANCE TO PROBE PENETRATION

The present investigation was carried out to determine the location of the periodontal probe tip when various loads are applied. Additionally, the role of gingival inflammation to probe resistance was evaluated. The sample consisted of 51 teeth scheduled for extraction. The Gingival Index (GI) was used to establish the degree of inflammation. A loading of 20,25,30 ponds was delivered by a spring loaded sleeve bearing probe fitted with a michigan 0 probe having a terminal diameter of 0.35 mm. The extracted teeth were fixed and then stained with 4% toluidine blue. Using a coronal reference groove and the apical margin of the connective tissue attachment (CTA) as reference points apical penetrtion of the probe was established. The results of this study indicate that there is a linear relationship between the GI and the resistance of the gingival tissues to probe penetration. This is most apparent between a GI = 0 amd GI = 3. Wjereas with 30 ponds the mean penetration at GI = 0 was 0.30 mm. coronal to the CTA, the mean penetration was 1.25 mm apical to the CTA at GI = 3. Copyright © 1979, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved