What are periodontal probes?

Periodontal probes are blunt, graduated instruments used to measure sulcus and pocket depth, assess attachment loss and chart bleeding on probing. The marking pattern is the whole instrument: different probes carry different millimetre bands, and a chart is only comparable over time if the same pattern is used each visit.

How the periodontal probes range is organised

Williams:

1-2-3-5-7-8-9-10mm markings — the classic pattern, with 4 and 6 omitted for legibility.

UNC-15:

Markings to 15mm, colour-coded; available single-ended and as the Novatech UNC #15/23 angled pattern.

Colour-coded bands:

CP-11 at 3-6-8-11mm and CP-12 at 3-6-9-12mm, both single-ended with colour banding.

Other:

#X2 single-ended, probe #C, probe #18GF.

Choosing the right periodontal probe

Pick one pattern and standardise the practice on it — mixed patterns make serial charting unreliable. UNC-15 is the usual choice where full 15mm range and colour coding matter, particularly for periodontal referrals and research-grade charting. CP-11 and CP-12 read faster chairside because the bands are colour blocks rather than individual lines. The Novatech angled shank reaches distal surfaces of posterior teeth that a straight probe approaches at the wrong angle.