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

Aims: This study evaluated pain associated with electronic probing comparing two commercially available probe tip designs using standardized force. Material and Methods: 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 (0.6 mm diameter, 408 kPa; Test) or straight (0.45 mm diameter, 726 kPa; 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). 7 days later, tip assignments were alternated from visit 1 and VAS re-scored. VAS scores were compared by probe tip, arches and visits. Results: 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). Conclusions: Both probing approaches were associated with low levels of pain on probing. The straight tip may be perceived as more comfortable in the maxilla.