Your dental implant evaluation with baseline information must include probing. It is required for assessing oral health and diagnosing underlying ailments. While probing dental implants was challenging in the past, the current research suggests it to be beneficial. Periodontology collects data for examination of any peri-implant disease.
What Does It Mean to Prob around Dental Implants?
An increasing number of dental implants and peri-implant diseases make surveillance more crucial these days. Once clinicians assess the implant, they can better understand the key difference between the soft tissue surrounding the implants and the soft tissues surrounding the teeth.
Dental implants comprise a weak hemidesmosomal attachment, which might make probing more sensitive. Gentle pressure must be applied – note that it should be more than 20 g.
While a plastic/metal probe can be used, most clinicians prefer using a flexible probe to navigate seamlessly around the height of the implant restoration’s contour. A plastic probe might mitigate the chances of traumas to the perimucosal seal.
While probing, the sulcus around the dental implants is surgically created, so depth is not that important here. When longer abutments are used, more probing depths will correspond gradually. The only time when one should avoid probing is during the integration phase and initial recovery stage. The best time might vary from surgeon to surgeon, but it typically ranges between 3 and 6 months. When the dental implant is restored, it is assumed integrated so it is safe to perio probe.