Clinical evaluation of tine shape of 3 periodontal probes using 2 probing forces

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the tine shape of different periodontal probes. One tapered, one parallel‐sided and one WHO‐probe line, each with a diameter of 0.5 mm at the tip. were mounted in hinged handles exerting a constant probing force (Brodontic®). The handles were adjusted to either 0.25 N (127 N/cm) or 0.5 N (255 N/cm). 12 patients with moderate to severe periodontitis were measured after supra‐ and subgmgival debridement. using all 6 possible tine force combinations in 3 sessions. In each session one tine/force combination was used in the 1 si and 3rd quadrants, and another tine/force combination in the 2nd and 4th quadrant. The measurements in the same quadrants could therefore be used for comparisons within the same site. The selection for the 2 quadrants in which a given tine/force combination was to be used, was randomised. Calculations of differences (mean per patient) between probing measurements show, that the WHO tine yields deeper recordings than the parallel sided and tapered tines, both at 127 N/cm 2 and 255 N/cm 2 . We conclude that in addition to probing force, the tine shape of a periodontal probe is of significant importance for the recorded probing depth.