Periodontal Charting
To check the health of your gum tissue, your dentist will use a metal probe to measure the depth of the gingival sulcus, the groove between your gums and your teeth. The probe is inserted beside your tooth beneath your gum line, usually at several sites throughout your mouth.
A depth of 2 or 3 millimeters (mm) - about one-eighth of an inch - indicates healthy gums. A depth beyond 3 mm means a pocket has formed between your gums and your teeth, signaling more serious gum disease.