Abstract
Introduction
The periodontal probe is the best tool for the clinical diagnosis of periodontal disease; however the probe design can influence the results.
Objective
To evaluate the structural characteristics of Williams-type periodontal probes available in the Brazilian market and evaluate their clinical use during periodontal probing.
Material and method
The probe groups were divided into: 1) Hu-Friedy® (n=15); 2) Trinity® (n=15); 3) Fava® (n=15); 4) Millennium® (n=15). In vitro analyzes were performed: weight (g), diameter of the active tip (mm), cable diameter (mm) and millimeter of the probes (mm). For the in vivo study, 10 participants were selected who had at least four teeth with periodontitis. The probe marks were coded in A, B, C and D for the examiner's blinding.
Result
There was a diameter of the active tip suggestive of a conical three-dimensional shape for the Trinity®, Hu-Friedy® and Millennium®, with increasing taper, while the Fava® tip demonstrated a suggestive diameter of a cylindrical / parallel three-dimensional shape. The Fava® probe showed the largest diameters in the initial and middle thirds, while the Hu-Friedy® revealed the smallest diameter in the initial third. All the probes presented similar milimeter. In the clinical study, it was found that the Fava® probe resulted in a lower average of probing depth than the others.
Conclusion
Periodontal probes have structural differences that must be considered during the selection of the instrument, and the conical probes present more reliable results to clinical practice, since the design of the probe directly interferes with the clinical diagnosis of periodontal disease.
Descriptors:
Periodontal diseases; diagnostic; periodontics; dental instruments
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