Periodontal Probing — NDEB AFK MCQ
Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.
Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.
Reveal the answer and explanation
Correct answer: E — Clinical probing with a calibrated probe
Clinical probing with a calibrated periodontal probe (ideally with controlled force of 0.25 N) remains the most sensitive clinical method for detecting and measuring periodontal attachment loss. Clinical attachment level (CAL) is measured from the CEJ to the base of the probe. While radiographs show bone levels, they underestimate bone loss (need >30-50% mineral loss to be radiographically detectable) and cannot detect active disease or measure soft tissue attachment.
Reference: Newman – Newman and Carranza's Clinical Periodontology, 13th ed., 2019