Most patients experience mild pressure, not pain. If your gums are inflamed, you may feel brief discomfort when the probe enters deeper pockets. Topical anesthetic can be applied for patients with sensitive gums. The entire charting process takes 10 to 15 minutes.

The numbers represent pocket depth in millimeters — the distance from the gum margin to the base of the pocket at each measurement site. Readings of 1 to 3 millimeters are healthy. Readings of 4 millimeters with bleeding suggest early disease. Readings of 5 millimeters or more indicate moderate to advanced periodontitis requiring treatment.

For patients with healthy gums, a comprehensive charting every one to two years is typical. For patients with active periodontal disease, charting is performed at the initial evaluation, at re-evaluation 4 to 6 weeks after treatment, and at every maintenance visit — typically every 3 to 4 months.

Bleeding when the probe is gently inserted into the pocket indicates active inflammation — the body's response to bacterial biofilm within the pocket. It is one of the earliest and most reliable signs of active periodontal disease. A site that does not bleed on probing is considered stable.

Gingivitis (inflammation without bone loss) is fully reversible with professional cleaning and improved home care. Periodontitis (inflammation with bone loss) is not reversible — lost bone does not grow back on its own. However, disease progression can be halted, pockets can be reduced with treatment, and in some cases, regenerative procedures can regrow bone in specific defect patterns.

Pocket depth is measured from the gum margin to the base of the pocket. Clinical attachment level is measured from a fixed reference point (the cementoenamel junction) to the base of the pocket. If gum recession is present, the pocket may appear shallow even though significant attachment has been lost. Clinical attachment level captures the total disease burden regardless of gum position.

Furcation involvement means bone loss has extended into the area where the roots of a multi-rooted tooth diverge. It is classified by severity: Class I (horizontal loss up to one-third of the tooth width), Class II (loss exceeding one-third but not through-and-through), and Class III (complete loss of bone between roots). Furcation involvement complicates treatment and affects the long-term prognosis of the tooth.

The doctor will explain the severity and location of the disease, recommend appropriate treatment — which may include scaling and root planing (deep cleaning), antimicrobial therapy, or periodontal surgery — and establish a maintenance schedule. The goal is to stop disease progression, reduce pocket depths, and create conditions that you can maintain with daily home care.

Yes. Any patient can schedule a periodontal evaluation at ADSC. Full charting, radiographic assessment, and a treatment plan are provided. If treatment is needed, it can be performed at ADSC or the findings can be communicated to your general dentist for coordinated care.

Yes. Smoking suppresses bleeding on probing, which can make diseased gums appear healthier than they are. Smokers often have deeper pockets with less bleeding — a deceptive combination. Probing depth and radiographic bone loss measurements become even more important in smokers because bleeding alone is an unreliable disease indicator in this population.

Gingival recession is the migration of the gum margin below the cementoenamel junction, exposing root surface. It is measured in millimeters from the CEJ to the gum margin. Recession contributes to root sensitivity, aesthetic concerns, and increased caries risk on exposed root surfaces.

Yes. Diabetes is a well-established risk factor for periodontitis. Patients with poorly controlled diabetes tend to have deeper pockets, more attachment loss, and more rapid disease progression. Conversely, untreated periodontal disease can worsen blood sugar control. Managing both conditions simultaneously produces better outcomes for each.

Periodontal charting is typically covered as part of a comprehensive or periodontal evaluation under most dental insurance plans. Specific coverage depends on your plan and the frequency of periodontal evaluations allowed. The ADSC billing team verifies your benefits before your appointment.

Periodontal maintenance (D4910) is a cleaning and evaluation performed at 3 to 4 month intervals for patients who have been treated for periodontal disease. It includes probing, charting, scaling in areas of active disease, and assessment of treatment response. It is more thorough and more frequent than a routine prophylaxis (D1110), which is a cleaning for patients with healthy gums.

Consistent daily brushing (ideally with an electric toothbrush), daily flossing or interproximal cleaning, professional treatment for existing disease, smoking cessation, and management of systemic conditions like diabetes all contribute to shallower pockets, less bleeding, and improved charting numbers at your next evaluation.