Abstract:

Objective To evaluate the clinical applications of Florida probes. Methods The probing depth (PD) of ten periodontitis patients was recorded by the same examiner using the Florida and conventional manual probe. The readings were obtained at 6 sites for each tooth, distobuccal (DB), midbuccal (B), mesiobuccal (MB), distolingual (DL), midlingual (L) and mesiolingual (ML) sites. The consistency and correlation between Florida probe measurements and conventional manual probe measurements were investigated. The comfort index by visual analogue scale was recorded and compared. Results The readings of PD from Florida probe were highly correlated(r=0.784)and highly consistent(Kappa=0.638)with that from conventional periodontal probe measurement, with higher consistency in shallow sites than that in deeper sites. The results from comfort scale showed that the Florida probe produced less patient discomfort than that the conventional probe did. Conclusion The Florida probe can be used as an alternative for periodontal probing in routine dental practice.

Key words: florida probes, periodontitis, periodontal probing, comfort scale