A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic and therapeutic steps.
Intraoral examination
- Mucosal findings
- [gingivitis (inflammation of the gums)
- Periodontitis (inflammation of the periodontium)]
- Foetor ex ore (bad breath) – [possibly with putrid (“purulent”) exudate / secretion]
- Oral hygiene
- Dental findings (general dental findings).
- Biofilm (plaque, bacterial plaque) on tooth and implant surfaces.
- Plaque index [oral hygiene inadequate] – collect at up to six sites per implant.
- Tartar
- Biofilm (plaque, bacterial plaque) on tooth and implant surfaces.
- Peri-implant findings
- Signs of inflammation [mucositis (inflammation of the oral mucosa); periimplantitis]
- Gingival index [bleeding on probing; nicotine has a vasoconstrictor effect, which allows feigning absence of inflammation on probing].
- Secretion [putride (pus drainage): advanced peri-implantitis]
- Gingiva (gums)
- Recession (“recession of the gums”)
- Hyperplasia (“gum proliferation”)
- Palpation pain (pain on palpation).
- Sounding
- Depth (distance between marginal (“edge-related”) gingiva and peri-implant pocket floor).
- Clinical attachment level (distance between implant shoulder and pocket floor).
- Subgingival (“below the gums“) calculus.
- Excess cementum
- Implant mobility [loosening: advanced lack of osseointegration (Lat. Os “bone”, integrare “to bind in”)]
- Signs of inflammation [mucositis (inflammation of the oral mucosa); periimplantitis]
- Functional findings
- Occlusion (occlusion: spatial relationship of teeth to each other when biting together).
- Bruxism (teeth grinding)
Square brackets [ ] indicate possible pathological (pathological) physical findings.
