How many probing measurements are taken per tooth?

• A. Four sites per tooth
• B. Ten sites per tooth
• C. Eight sites per tooth
• D. Six sites per tooth

Answer: (D)

Probing around a tooth is done at multiple surfaces to get a complete view of periodontal health because disease can vary around the tooth and pockets or recession may exist on only one side. There are six distinct sites around each tooth: mesiobuccal, midbuccal, distobuccal on the buccal/facial side, and mesiolingual, midlingual, distolingual on the tongue/lingual side. Measuring at all six sites ensures you don’t miss a localized deep pocket or attachment loss that a single site could overlook. Four sites would risk missing areas, while eight or ten would be more than needed for standard practice. Six sites per tooth is the standard approach for thorough periodontal probing.