Advanced digital tracking and documentation of your periodontal health—see your progress visually over time
Digital periodontal charting is an advanced documentation system that records and tracks specific measurements of gum health at each visit. Unlike traditional paper charts, digital systems provide real-time visualization, easy comparison between visits, and comprehensive data storage. This enables precise monitoring of your periodontal health and treatment response.
Several critical measurements are documented in a comprehensive periodontal chart:
This is the distance from the gumline to the bottom of the periodontal pocket—measured in millimeters. A probe is gently inserted beside each tooth at multiple sites (typically 6 locations per tooth: three around the cheek side, three around the tongue side). These measurements are among the most critical indicators of periodontal health.
CAL measures the actual loss of periodontal attachment. It's calculated from the probing depth plus the distance from the gumline to the cemento-enamel junction (where the enamel ends and root begins). CAL is a more accurate indicator of periodontal damage than probing depth alone because it accounts for gum recession.
Whether the gum bleeds when the probe is inserted indicates inflammation. Digital charts mark which sites bleed and which don't, making it easy to see which areas are improving or deteriorating. Reduction in bleeding sites is one of the first signs of successful treatment.
The chart also documents visible recession (where gum has pulled away from the tooth) and any tooth mobility. These measurements help assess the overall integrity of the periodontal structures.
Digital charting software displays the measurements as visual tooth diagrams with color coding and numeric values. You can easily compare your current probing depths to measurements from previous visits, seeing which areas have improved and which need more attention. This visual feedback is incredibly motivating for many patients.
Probing depth is the foundation of periodontal diagnosis and monitoring. The principle is straightforward: healthy gums have shallow pockets (1-3mm), while diseased gums have deeper pockets. The deeper the pocket, the more bone loss has occurred. By measuring probing depth, we're essentially measuring the extent of disease and, during follow-up visits, the success of treatment.
Probing depth measurement requires a standardized technique to be accurate and reproducible. The probe should be inserted with gentle, consistent force (typically 25 grams—about the weight of a quarter). Too much force creates artificially deep readings. Too little force misses shallow pockets. Digital probes can incorporate force-controlled sensors to ensure consistency. This is why measurements at Loft Dental are reliable—we use calibrated techniques.
While probing depth is useful, clinical attachment level is the true indicator of periodontal attachment loss. CAL accounts for gum recession, which is common in treated periodontal disease or as part of the disease process itself. A tooth with 6mm pockets and no recession has more attachment loss than a tooth with 6mm pockets and 3mm recession. CAL measurements tell the true story of tissue loss.
BOP indicates the presence of inflammation in the tissue. When bleeding occurs during gentle probing, it signals an inflammatory process and indicates that the tissue hasn't fully healed or that disease is still present. The absence of bleeding is typically an indicator of stable, healthy periodontal tissues. By tracking BOP over time, we can assess how well inflammation is being controlled.
Reduction in probing depths is the primary goal of periodontal treatment. As bacteria and calculus are removed and inflammation decreases, the periodontal pockets shrink. A pocket that measures 7mm before treatment might measure 4mm after treatment. This 3mm reduction represents successful treatment—the tissues have reattached to the tooth surface, and bone loss has stabilized or reversed.
The first comprehensive periodontal chart establishes your baseline—your starting point. Subsequent charts compare to this baseline, allowing us to measure exactly how much improvement has occurred. If probing depths remain stable or decrease, treatment is working. If they increase, disease is progressing despite treatment, and a different approach may be needed.
See your gum health improve with precise digital tracking
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