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The impact of a modified electronic probe tip design on patient perception of discomfort during periodontal probing
Peter L Harrison1, Sandra Stuhr1, Luciana M Shaddox1
1Division of Periodontology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, FL, USA.
Aims:
This study evaluated pain associated with electronic probing comparing two commercially available probe tip designs using standardized force.
Material And Methods:
Twenty adult patients with slight-moderate chronic periodontitis received periodontal probing using controlled-force electronic probe at 2 visits. In visit 1, a random arch was probed with either a ball-end (0.6 mm diameter, 408 kPa; Test) or straight (0.45 mm diameter, 726 kPa; Control) probe tip. The opposing arch was then probed using the other probe tip. Discomfort associated with each probing episode was recorded using visual analogue scale (VAS). 7 days later, tip assignments were alternated from visit 1 and VAS re-scored. VAS scores were compared by probe tip, arches and visits.
Results:
Both tips provided similar VAS scores (median 13.5 for ball-end and 14 for straight, p = .3713). However, the straight tip was associated with decreased VAS scores in the maxilla (p = .01). Overall, VAS values did not differ by arch or study visit. Individual VAS scores showed high levels of correlation between study visits and between tips used (R2 = .86 and 0.64, respectively, p < .0001).
Conclusions:
Both probing approaches were associated with low levels of pain on probing. The straight tip may be perceived as more comfortable in the maxilla.
