The impact of a modified electronic probe tip design on patient perception of discomfort during periodontal probing using standardized probing force: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

This study evaluated pain associated with electronic probing comparing two commercially available probe tip designs using standardized force. Twenty adult patients with slight-moderate chronic periodontitis received periodontal probing using controlled-force electronic probe at 2 visits. In visit 1, a random arch was probed with either a ball-end (0.6mm diameter, 408kPa; Test) or straight (0.45mm diameter, 726kPa; Control) probe tip. The opposing arch was then probed using the other probe tip. Discomfort associated with each probing episode was recorded using visual analogue scale (VAS). 7days later, tip assignments were alternated from visit 1 and VAS re-scored. VAS scores were compared by probe tip, arches and visits. Both tips provided similar VAS scores (median 13.5 for ball-end and 14 for straight, p=.3713). However, the straight tip was associated with decreased VAS scores in the maxilla (p=.01). Overall, VAS values did not differ by arch or study visit. Individual VAS scores showed high levels of correlation between study visits and between tips used (R2 =.86 and 0.64, respectively, p<.0001). Both probing approaches were associated with low levels of pain on probing. The straight tip may be perceived as more comfortable in the maxilla.