Which instrument is used for PSR probing?

• A. A standard periodontal explorer
• B. A mouth mirror
• C. A specialized PSR probe with a colored band to gauge depth
• D. A periodontal scalpel

Answer: (C)

The instrument used for PSR probing is a specialized PSR probe equipped with a colored band that acts as a built‑in depth gauge. This design lets the clinician quickly determine pocket depth ranges in each sextant by seeing how the colored band aligns with the gingival margin as the probe is gently inserted. The color band provides a standardized reference, enabling rapid assignment of PSR codes that indicate health, bleeding on probing, calculus with shallow pockets, or deeper pockets requiring further assessment. Other tools lack this dedicated depth-gauging feature: a standard periodontal explorer is for tactile detection of calculus and irregularities, a mouth mirror only aids visualization, and a scalpel is a surgical instrument.